Forest Green Preview

[Kingmouse]

__________________ York City vs Forest Green
__________________________-Bootham Crescent, York
__________________-___Saturday 6th November 2004, 3.00pm
________________________-__


York City’s under fire manager Chris Brass has declared the arrival of Forest Green at Bootham Crescent on Saturday as “a massive game”.

After two successive hammering’s, first form Barnet then Saturday’s defeat in the FA Cup qualifying round against Carlisle, York will have to produce an impressive performance in order to keep above the much talked about “2000” attendance figure. This task is made harder by the fact that Forest Green are renowned for their low travelling support and failure to meet this target at BC could result in Brass being pushed yet further through the door.

Chris Brass hinted that some of his injured players may return in time for Saturday and could be in contention for a place in City’s starting line-up. It is presumed that the trio of Graeme Law, Gary Pearson and Paul Robinson are the names Chris was thinking of when he told Radio York; “there'll be some of the missing bodies back in the frame soon”. These more experience players will be a great help to City’s patchwork team which has leaked 7 goals and failed to score in open play in the last two games.

Impressive striker Andy Bishop will be rearing to attack the Rovers defence when the two teams meet on Saturday. He will be aware that he must make himself stand out if he has any ambition’s to break into Paul Fairclough’s England National XI first team. Also out to impress is promising young goalkeeper David Stockdale, he along side Bishop will be aiming to make the England XI jersey his own. David faces close competition from Aldershot’s keeper Nikki Bull who has conceded 20 goals this season (in 16 appearances) compared to ‘Stocky’s’ 16 goals in 13 appearances, England XI gaffer Paul Fairclough has a nice selection poser for the match against the Italian Seria ‘C’ club.

Team news; club captain and central defender Steve Davis is expected to be out for a few more weeks with a dodgy hip. Along side Davis on the doubtful list is experienced winger Kevin Donavon who is having trouble with a persistent groin injury that has kept him out of the team for several weeks.

The much awaited arrival of infamous Forest Green Rovers is finally here. York fans have been salivating since Swansea away last season for the chance to take on minnows Forest Green.

Newly appointed manager Alan Lewer has made a few prudent signings since his appointment 7 weeks ago; 24 year old midfielder Stewart Roberts from Kidderminster, hotshot striker Jefferson Louis from Oxford United and midfielder Craig Loxton (19) on loan from Bristol City. Lewer has gained 7 points during his 9 games in charge, this is a vast improvement since taking over from Tim Harris who lost 7 out of 7.

Forest Green will be in confident mood after going further in the FA Cup than City by reaching the 1st Round proper, Rovers beat Thame United 5-0. That confidence booster should mean that Saturday’s clash will be fiercely contested by the perceived “underdogs”.

How the Teams Line Up

York City (Possible line-up) – Stockdale, Brass, Davies, Pearson, Merris, Stewart, Groves, Dunning, Robinson, Bishop, Yalcin.
Substitutes; Porter, S.Smith, Staley, Coad, Arthur.

Forest Green (Possible line-up) – Williams, Garner, Lyttle, Richardson, Appleby, Rogers, Roberts, Cleaverley, Reed, Louis, Beesley.
Substitutes; Greaves, Green, Loxton, Holloway, Griffin.

Form Guide (Last 5)

York City – LWLDL – Blackpool (LDV – R1) (H), Stevenage (H), Morecambe (A), Farnborough (A), Carlisle (FA Cup – 4QR) (A).

Forest Green – WLLLW – Woking (A), Canvey (A), Morecambe (H), Northwich (H), Thame United (FA Cup – 4QR) (A).

Related Links

Need a Lift to BC on Saturday?? Try Here
Forest Green Supporter?? Try YorkCityFC.com’s Guide for Away Fans

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Official Forest Green Rovers Website
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