York City’s post-Richard Brodie era begins with a visit from last season’s play-off rivals Rushden & Diamonds to Bootham Crescent this weekend.
The departure of the prolific Gateshead-born striker has certainly left a huge hole in York’s attacking resources, while the selling of their chief asset to one of their main promotion challengers, together with the last-minute nature of the deal, similarly didn’t do them any favours.
However, manager Martin Foyle must now just proceed with what he has left, and hope his charges can respond in the same way as, for example, Stevenage did following the loss their own leading marksman Steve Morison shortly after their Wembley FA Trophy final triumph against the Minstermen. Graham Westley’s side simply regrouped and refocused before powering their way to the Conference title last season – ironically with a former City reject, Chris Beardsley, within their ranks.
York fans will be hoping their favourites can do the same and that the likes of Michael Gash and Michael Rankine can step up their own performances a level, with consistent and regular support coming from such as George Purcell, David McDermott and Peter Till.
Vital Quotes:
“At Fleetwood the football was very, very poor,” York boss Martin Foyle told The Press.”People didn`t do the jobs we had done on the training ground two days previously. We are going to bounce back, we are going to stick together. I think a lot of people are going to be throwing shots at us left, right and centre and it`s how we deal with it as a group.”
“We should have some more players back from injury in the next couple of weeks which will help our cause,” Rushden manager Justin Edinburgh told the Northampton Herald & Post. “Aaron O`Connor training today so hopefully he will be available soon, although he won`t be ready for Saturday. We have a little bit of a problem at right-back with a few of the boys still injured and Justin Miller suspended, but Jamie Day may play there and we know Max Porter can do a job there. Curtis Osano will be staying in the centre because I don`t have anyone else to play there.”
York City Team News:
Martin Foyle will need to act to fill the void caused by the loss of Richard Brodie this week, and that should finally open the way for either Peter Till or David McDermott to start to make a genuine claim for a regular place. Greg Young is expected to continue in defence after scoring on his debut at Fleetwood last week. Otherwise, York’s options appear rather limited, especially with Levi Mackin, Chris Carruthers and George Purcell currently out injured.
York City (probable): Ingham, Parslow, McGurk, Young, Meredith, Lawless, Smith, Barrett, Till, Rankine, Gash
subs: Knight, Courtney, Sangare, McDermott
Player to watch: Michael Rankine
The former Rushden striker will need to take added responsibility on those broad shoulders of his in light of this week’s transfer events.
Rushden & Diamonds Team News:
Rushden arrive with a host of injury problems that includes former York striker Craig Farrell, who is sidelined with a groin strain, and his fellow forward Aaron O’Connor. They are joined by defender Justin Miller as he serves a one-match ban following his sending-off in their latest victory at Kettering Town.
Rushden & Diamonds (probable): Roberts, Porter, Asano, Stuart, Robinson, Johnson, Power, Spence, Green, Howe, Charles
Player to watch: Rene Howe
Striker currently on loan from Peterborough United and with a couple of goals to his credit already this season.
Match Facts & Stats
Rushden have made six visits to Bootham Crescent in the past with two victories to each side and two draws. The ground will always hold a special memory to the visitors as it is the place where they won 1-0 on their Football League debut at the start of the 2001-02 campaign.
Next Fixtures:
York – Wrexham (A); Rushden – Newport (H)
