ANOTHER three matches after today's long haul to Yeovil and we should finally know.

Two successive defeats have dimmed the shimmer of York City's record-equalling start to the season and left fans scratching their heads.

The football has definitely been much improved and so too the match-day atmosphere and sense of anticipation surrounding the club.

But City's topsy-turvy results, from winning relentlessly to losing consecutively, make a firm assessment of the Minstermen's chances this season still too hard to fathom, even after more than 600 minutes of football.

Ten games is deemed the usual benchmark and so we may just have to wait a little while longer before seeing the real York City stand up.

What is already very clear is that this season's Division Three promises to be the most open and intriguing campaign for years.

Going into this weekend's round of matches, Oxford United remained the only unbeaten team and look well set to justify their pre-season tag as promotion dark-horses.

But no other team looks poised to run away with the title, unlike last season when Hartlepool and Rushden raced clear, and the campaign before when Plymouth and Luton cut loose from the chasing pack.

It's something of a clich but it really does look like every team can beat each other.

All the teams City have played this season with the exception of Carlisle who, on the evidence so far, should finally drop into the Conference after years of loitering, have been much of a muchness.

Differences between the likes of pre-season promotion tips Northampton and Huddersfield and reckoned to be strugglers Rochdale and Southend were relatively slight.

Lincoln might have tore a strip off City at Sincil Bank, but it was no real surprise. They will batter more than a few teams this season and equally their abrasive nature will be quelled by the canny.

With the teams all so very close together , every game this season promises be a six pointer.

The difference between success and failure will be slight, the difference between play-off and bottom-half wafer thin.

It threatens a rollercoaster of emotions. Hold on tight and enjoy the ride.

THEY DID it again. The collection buckets that saved York City last season can claim another badge of honour after playing their part in the survival of Notts County.

As reported in the press last week, the Friends of Bootham Crescent were out in force last Saturday in a show of solidarity for County as the oldest club in the Football League teetered on the brink of extinction.

City fans donated more than £1,000 last Saturday, a remarkable gesture made all the more sweeter with the news County's short-term future had been guaranteed thanks to an 11th-hour rescue package.

The City buckets will not be put to rest just yet.

FoBC will be out in force on Tuesday, when City entertain Darlington at Bootham Crescent, collecting money for Oldham Athletic, another club whose future is in serious financial jeopardy.

THE cardiology endowment fund at Blackpool Hospital is now almost £2,000 better off thanks to York City fans and the memory of City legend Keith Walwyn.

Some £1,400 was raised by City fans in memory of the 'Big Man' after bucket collections were staged at the Minstermen's home game with Exeter last season, just ten days after Keith passed away.

Keith's widow, Liz, asked that the proceeds raised from the collection to be donated to the hospital where here husband underwent extensive treatment for heart problems.

A second cheque for £334 was winging its way across the Pennines today. The sizeable sum was raised following the inaugural Keith Walwyn six-a-side tournament organised by City fans this summer.

Proceeds from the event were split between Liz Walwyn's chosen charity and the City Supporters' Trust.

MITCH Ward's arrival at York City has now been officially recognised by the self-styled 'ultimate football magazine' FourFourTwo.

Ward has been a regular in the magazine for some time now, endorsing a company selling football boots via the web.

Until the very latest issue, it always stated "as recommended by Mitch Ward of Barnsley FC".

Not any more. York City's name replaces that of the Tykes' and Ward shares the advert with Thierry Henry and Jimmy Floyd-Hasselbaink no less.

BROTHERS Gareth and Robin Griffiths should arrive at Bootham Crescent tomorrow as part of their 'ultimate Football League ground tour'.

Gareth, who actually hails from York, and Robin, who lives in Nottingham, intend to visit all 205 sites that have hosted a Football League match, past or present, in just nine days to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Relief and Diabetes UK.

The 205 sites are spread over 109 cities, towns and villages and include housing estates, playing-fields, leisure centres, cricket pitches, supermarkets, car parks and even a pub

Their tour was due to begin today in Nottingham and should end at Boston United's York Street ground on September 21.

Anyone wishing to sponsor Gareth or Robin please send donations to Ultimate Ground Tour, Capital One Bank, Trent House, Station Street, Nottingham, NG5 1JW.

MITCH Ward remains in pole position in the Evening Press player of the year rankings.

Ward and his nearest challenger, Darren Dunning, failed to add to their points haul in Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Rochdale.

Lee Bullock claimed the man of the match award to move level with Dunning in second place with both players locked on six points.

Richard Hope moved up into the chasing pack by earning two points, while super-sub Aron Wilford's goal and all-round contribution after coming on as a substitute saw him take the last remaining point on offer.

Current rankings: Ward 7, Bullock 6, Dunning 6, Hope 4, Ovendale 4, Nogan 3, Wise 3, Brass 2, Wood 2, Fox 1, Merris 1, Wilford 1.

Nestl make a stand for City

NEXT Saturday's home game with Bristol Rovers marks the club's first Nestl Family Day.

City unveiled Nestl as their new 'community partner' at the start of the term, when it was announced Nestl employees can take their children to watch City in action for free.

All other children on the Family Days, the second of which will take place on Sunday, December 21 when Kidderminster Harriers visit Bootham Crescent, pay just £1.

To mark the tie-up with Nestl, the Family Stand has been renamed in recognition of the York-based food giants sponsorship and was officially opened last Saturday.

Nestl factory manager Ian Jobson, right, is pictured cutting the ribbon with Yorkie the Lion and City fan Caroline Pratt.

Updated: 11:38 Saturday, September 13, 2003