The Dabbers’ dream run in the Isuzu FA Trophy continues this Saturday as we welcome National League York City to the Swansway Stadium (3pm kick-off).
Fairtytale of York
York sit 64 places above the Dabbers in the football pyramid, currently 19th in the National League. You may well have seen their last match, as they went down 1-0 in the fog to Wigan in the FA Cup Second Round live on the BBC last Friday.
But that was only their second defeat in their last 8 games in all competitions, the other being to Hartlepool in the middle of November. Wins over Chester in the FA Cup and Fylde and Oxford City in the league have started to build confidence under Neal Ardley, who only joined as manager in September after the Minstermen failed to win any of their first 7 games of the season.
They have great pedigree in this competition, having won it twice before in recent memory, in 2012 and 2017. The question for Saturday is, with them still not clear of danger in the league, what sort of York team will be on show at the Swansway?
Last Time Out
The Dabbers and York have never played each other before, so instead let’s remind ourselves of the last round of this competition and the penalties victory over Chester. Highlights below.
Players to Watch
Up top, Dipo Akinyemi on 8 and Lenell John-Lewis on 6 are their top scorers. However, Akinyemi has not been in the York squad for their last 2 games so it’s unclear if he’ll be available for this one.
In goal may well be the vastly experienced David Stockdale. With over 500 career appearances, most of those in the Premier League or EFL, he’s returned to his boyhood club where he’s combining keeping duties with also being York’s Head of Recruitment.
York also have George Sykes-Kenworthy among their goalkeepers, who played in goal against the Dabbers earlier in our FA Trophy run for Bradford (Park Avenue) before being signed by the Minstermen, meaning he’s cup-tied for this one.
Match Information
Tickets are still on sale online HERE for both sets of supporters. Stay tuned for any updates on this or rules around the stadium on the day.
The Cat FM will carry live commentary for those who can’t make it.