YORK City are back in action for the first time in 13 days with a home match against a struggling AFC Fylde tomorrow.
Neal Ardley’s side have had an extended break from competitive matches due to the Isuzu FA Trophy cup weekend and Tuesday night’s postponed fixture with Dorking Wanderers, with York able to put in some extra work on the training pitch as a result.
City will return to the Vanarama National League with a match against relegation-threatened AFC Fylde tomorrow at 3pm at the LNER Community Stadium, as the Minstermen look to extend their unbeaten league run to eight games.
KICK OFF: Saturday, January 20 (3pm)
VENUE: LNER Community Stadium
Predicted line-ups:
York City (5-3-2): Sykes-Kenworthy; Fallowfield, Howe, Smith, Crookes, Latty-Fairweather; Woodyard, Burgess, Chadwick; Akinyemi, Davies
Team news: As previously predicted for the postponed Dorking match, we expect City to maintain their back five formation, with Callum Howe, Will Smith and Adam Crookes forming a strong partnership in recent matches.
It will also be interesting to see how Billy Chadwick can line up alongside Will Davies and Dipo Akinyemi, and whether he will be wide or in the number ten role, after an extended period on the training pitch.
Scott Burgess will likely drop deeper to accommodate Chadwick’s inclusion, too.
York will continue to be without Dan Batty until mid-February, and Callum Harriott will be absent with a grade two hamstring injury.
Tyler Cordner will also be working hard to get back into the starting eleven after a spell among the substitutes.
Leading scorer: Dipo Akinyemi (9)
League position: 18th
Manager: Neal Ardley
Last five: Draw – Boreham Wood (A) 1-1, Win – Gateshead (H) 2-0, Draw – Gateshead (A) 1-1, Draw - Ebbsfleet United (H) 1-1, Draw – Rochdale (A) 0-0
AFC Fylde (4-3-3): Richardson; Barrett, Davis, Graham, Mitchell; Adshead, Haughton, Whitehead; Ustabasi, Ormerod, Charman
Team news: The Coasters will be without Emaka Obi, who is out for the next four months after sustaining an injury on his meniscus.
Ethan Mitchell could make his first league start after joining the club last week on a short-term loan from Wigan Athletic.
Leading scorer: Nick Haughton (7)
League position: 22nd
Manager: Chris Beech
Last five: Loss - Aveley (A) 1-0, Win - Hartlepool United (H) 2-1, Win - Rochdale (H) 2-0, Loss - Rochdale (A) 2-0, Draw - Dagenham & Redbridge (H) 1-1
Match Odds: York City 13/8, Draw 12/5, AFC Fylde 6/4
Previous meeting: York and AFC Fylde met as recently as November, with the Minstermen claiming an important three points with a fantastic 2-0 victory over the Coasters.
It was the perfect start for Ardley’s side, with Burgess opening the scoring just five minutes in from Ryan Fallowfield’s cross.
And Burgess would repay the favour when sliding the ball into Fallowfield in the 27th minute, with the wing-back striking home to secure a crucial three points.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here