YORK City will return to the LNER Community Stadium for the first time since New Year’s Day, with the hope of beginning a new run of form starting with Maidenhead United.
York's impressive unbeaten run in the Vanarama National League came to an end last week, with Hartlepool United securing a 2-1 victory in the North-East.
But City will be keen to find their footing again, facing part-time outfit Maidenhead on their return to home soil.
Kick-off: Saturday, February 3 (3pm)
Venue: LNER Community Stadium
Predicted line-ups:
York City (5-2-3): Sykes-Kenworthy; Fallowfield, Smith, Howe, Crookes, Latty-Fairweather; Woodyard, McLaughlin; Chadwick, Davies, Akinyemi
Team news: Thierry Latty-Fairweather is back available after suffering a family bereavement early last week. Levi Andoh and Callum Harriott remain unavailable.
Dan Batty could return to the bench after Ardley confirmed that he was back in contention.
It wouldn’t be a shock to see Ardley resume to a back five formation, after changing to a back four last weekend and suffering defeat to Hartlepool United.
Leading scorer: Dipo Akinyemi (11)
League position: 19th
Manager: Neal Ardley
Last five: Loss - Hartlepool United (A) 2-1, Win – Oxford City (A) 1-2, Draw – Boreham Wood (A) 1-1, Win – Gateshead (H) 2-0, Draw – Gateshead (A) 1-1
Maidenhead United (4-2-3-1): Ross; Asare, Lokko, Clerima, Beckwith; Petit, Ferdinand; Mitchell-Lawson, Barratt, Nathaniel-George; Sho-Silva
Team news: Expecting Maidenhead to remain unchanged from their 2-1 win over high-fliers Solihull Moors last week, with a 4-2-3-1 formation likely for the visitors.
Mitchell-Lawson was included in the National League’s Team of the Week and remains a threat after extending his contract this month, whilst youngster Christian Johnson will be absent after joining Uxbridge on a short-term loan.
Leading scorer: Reece Smith (7)
League position: 14th
Manager: Alan Devonshire
Last five: Win - Solihull Moors (H) 2-1, Loss - Ebbsfleet United (H) 0-1, Draw - Bromley (H) 0-0, Loss - Wealdstone (H) 0-2, Draw - Woking (A) 0-0
Match odds: York City 5/4, Draw 12/5, Maidenhead United 9/4
Previous meeting: An early red card for Alex Woodyard saw York on the back foot for the majority of the match at York Road, with Maidenhead finally breaking the deadlock through Ashley Nathaniel-George.
Callum Howe came to City’s assistance with an 86th minute equaliser to earn the Minstermen a point in November.
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