Minstermen have to be up for Vics’ blitz task
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| York City find themselves squeezed out of the Setanta Shield by Northwich last month |
THE play-offs may look a long way off, but it is likely Colin Walker will still have his York City players fully fired up for the visit of Blue Square Premier strugglers Northwich Victoria tonight.
It was the Vics who put paid to Walker's 14-match unbeaten start to his reign as Minstermen manager when knocking City out of the Setanta Shield at KitKat Crescent early last month.
Northwich, who jettisoned City on penalties following a 3-3 draw, have gone from strength to strength since then and have lost just one of their last nine Blue Square Premier encounters.
It is a run which has seen them win four of their last six matches - the latest three points coming in a 4-0 demolition of Farsley Celtic at the weekend.
Much of their great form has been down to the scoring exploits of Lee Steele who, with eight in his last six games, has been on the sort of goal rush that most City strikers are wishing would come their way.
It is all a far cry from a dreadful start to the campaign when, under the stewardship of Neil Redfearn, now City youth team coach, Northwich picked up just one point from their first nine games.
They didn't get their first win until the 20th match when, with Redfearn long gone, they fashioned a 1-0 success over Rushden and Diamonds at the Victoria Stadium.
They were desperately unlucky in their last league encounter with York in late August, a drab affair which looked to be heading for a 0-0 stalemate until former Northwich striker Paul Brayson's late volley gave the Minstermen their first win of the season.
And although still in the bottom four, the Vics have games in hand on Farsley and currently look the likeliest of those in relegation trouble to perform a Houdini escape.
Though Brayson may have now left KitKat Crescent, tonight's game will still signal a reunion for some of the present York squad.
Midfielder Stuart Elliott joined City from Northwich in the summer but Simon Rusk, Walker's first capture as City manager in early January, will not face his old mates due to a gentlemen's agreement.
Rusk, who played in City's 1-1 draw at Nene Park against Rushden and Diamonds on Saturday, got on the scoresheet twice for Victoria early in the season but has yet to open his account for his new club.
Match facts by David Batters
City v Northwich
The Vics have made two previous visits in the Conference.
In 2004-05 the game ended goal-less and City won the corresponding fixture last term 2-1 with a Kieran Charnock own goal and Martyn Woolford on the scoresheet.
The line-up on March 6, 2007 was: Evans, Craddock, Kovacs, McGurk, Lloyd (Peat), Convery (Woolford), Panther, Bishop, Bowey, Farrell, Donaldson (Elvins).
Players to have appeared for both clubs include Jimmy Rudd, Jon McCarthy, Stuart Elliott and Paul Brayson.
It happened on March 25
1966: City crashed 7-2 at Swansea and were bottom of Division Three (League One).
1967: A crowd of 1,912 saw a 5-1 home win over Luton Town. Scorers were Andy Provan (2), Les Collinson, Tommy Spencer and John Goodchild. It was only the second win in 20 league games and the club were in the bottom four of the Fourth.
1968: A 6-2 win over Bradford Park Avenue at Bootham Crescent with Tommy Ross (2), Ted MacDougall (2), Roly Horrey and Andy Provan on target. The crowd was 4,009 and City were in the bottom half of the Fourth.
2000: John Williams and Colin Alcide netted in a 2-1 home win over Hartlepool United watched by 4,079. City were 20th in the Third (League Two).
2006: Conference leaders Accrington Stanley won 4-2 at York with Andy Bishop and Clayton Donaldson on the scoresheet. The attendance was 3,912.
Have your say
Can York City still hope to break into the play-off frame?
10:07am Tuesday 25th March 2008
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CommentPosted by: newshawk, York on 12:44pm Tue 25 Mar 08
[quote]It is all a far cry from a dreadful start to the campaign when, under the stewardship of Neil Redfearn, now City youth team coach, Northwich picked up just one point from their first nine games.[/quote]
Doesn't this just about explain the reversal of fortunes in the last few weeks?
It is all a far cry from a dreadful start to the campaign when, under the stewardship of Neil Redfearn, now City youth team coach, Northwich picked up just one point from their first nine games.
Doesn't this just about explain the reversal of fortunes in the last few weeks?
Posted by: yorkieboy, HongKong on 1:25pm Tue 25 Mar 08
Utter C**p.Neil will neither pick nor decide the tactics of the first team.We went through this sort of talk on here weeks ago.
Utter C**p.Neil will neither pick nor decide the tactics of the first team.We went through this sort of talk on here weeks ago.
Posted by: yorkieboy, HongKong on 1:27pm Tue 25 Mar 08
Plus the last FEW weeks have seen us beat Torquay,Exeter and draw with Rushden away!!!!
Plus the last FEW weeks have seen us beat Torquay,Exeter and draw with Rushden away!!!!
Posted by: Be, Scotland on 2:14pm Tue 25 Mar 08
For gods sake newshark what a mindless cretin you are !! Go and admit yourself into Bootham Park or sod off and support Scarboro !! Your comments are complete SH*** !! Goodluck city tonight,longshot for playoffs but teams above are faultering,i hope every one gets behind the team and players ignore the mindless idiots in the main stand !!
For gods sake newshark what a mindless cretin you are !! Go and admit yourself into Bootham Park or sod off and support Scarboro !! Your comments are complete SH*** !! Goodluck city tonight,longshot for playoffs but teams above are faultering,i hope every one gets behind the team and players ignore the mindless idiots in the main stand !!
Posted by: newshawk, York on 9:13am Wed 26 Mar 08
Quod erat demonstrandum
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