MARTIN FOYLE has admitted he would have preferred to play Bath City later in the season – but was quick to declare his York City side should fear no one in the Blue Square Bet Premier.

Bath, promoted from Blue Square South division last season, host the Minstermen tomorrow just four days after turning over highly rated Rushden and Diamonds to continue their brilliant form on their own turf.

The Somerset side have still only lost once at home in 11 months – when current City striker George Purcell scored twice in a 4-2 win for Braintree Town.

And Foyle was aware his team – who are still awaiting their first win this term following the home defeat to Kidderminster and midweek goalless draw at Grimsby – would be facing an outfit riding the crest of a wave.

Said the City boss: “They’ve got a very good home record and they had a good win over Rushden, who should be up there with the favourites, in the week, so we know it will be very hard.

“We’re not going to kid ourselves, but hopefully we will do what we did at Grimsby on Tuesday with maybe a bit more joy in the final third.

“It’s going to be a very hard league and teams will be beating each other. It’ll take five or six games for teams to find their feet, and some will get caught out in that time.

“If fixtures are at the wrong time for you, you will play teams on a high. It’s like us going to Bath this weekend. We’d rather play them two or three months down the line after they’ve had a few knocks and maybe a few defeats. However, we’re not scared of anybody in this league. I’m more concerned about how we prepare and that we’re ready and firing. If we can get ourselves right, I don’t fear anybody.”

Those preparations include an overnight stay in the south west.

“We’ll train down there and concentrate on the game and we’ll see how we line up,” he added.

David McDermott – only he and Greg Young of the seven summer signings have yet to make their first-team bow – could have played himself into contention with a lively performance, and the only goal, in Wednesday night’s behind-closed-doors friendly against Tadcaster Albion.

Centre-back Young and midfielder Tom Richardson were among others to impress, although Purcell had to come off after suffering an ankle knock ten minutes in. He should still be fit for tomorrow’s match though.

In good injury news, the scan on Levi Mackin revealed no ligament damage as feared, although the bruising and swelling will keep him out this weekend. Foyle would not put a timescale on the midfielder’s absence.

The City boss also called on the fans to continue the “great support” they showed at Grimsby.

“We had a great crowd that night. Our away support is very solid,” he said. “We understand some of the longer away games, like the one this weekend, will be hard to get to, but our support is very good and hopefully we can give them something to cheer about.”