Forest Green Preview

[Match Reports]

__________________ Forest Green vs York City
_________________________-The Lawn, Forest Green
_________________-___Saturday 10th September 2005, 3.00pm
________________________-__


York City travel to Forest Green sitting in 4th place in the table after a 1-0 home victory against Cambridge United at the KitKat Crescent. City new boy Donaldson's superb winning goal, and some resolute defending, continues the fine start to the season for McEwan's men.

City Team news; Manager McEwan has three injury worries but will surely be hoping to pick an unchanged side. Mark Hotte, Clayton Donaldson and Nathan Peat all picked up injuries against Cambridge. To add to that, loanee Mansaram limped out of Wednesday's reserve fixture. The City manager could hand the first start of the season to ex - Scarborough player David Pounder after the winger scored the winning goal in the reserves' 1-0 victory against Doncaster, if Donaldson isn't fit in time. James Dudgeon may be recalled should Hotte not be available, and last season's Player of the Year David Merris could be recalled at left back for Peat. Mansaram may not make the bench anyway if his loan from Halifax is over.

Forest Green Rovers are not on such a good run of form, in 15th place currently - on Friday, they were beaten 2-1 at home to 1st placed Grays Athletic with midfielder Paul Wanless scoring the FGR goal. Their one win this season was against Cambridge, by the same scoreline that City won by against the U's (1-0).

Forest Green Team news; Gary Owers may be tempted to stick to the same side that were beaten in the very last minute by Grays. The performance was widely described as one of FGR's best this season, which will concern City. Despite the fact Rovers have claimed just one win this season, they have fought hard in a number of matches and claimed useful results against Halifax and Exeter City, so they are definitely not to be taken lightly. Rovers also possess the Conference's joint 2nd highest goalscorer, midfielder Wanless who has plenty of League experience (240 League appearances). He is definitely the player City must keep tabs on, with 4 goals so far this season. Other key players for FGR include midfielder Meechan, Rovers' record all time Conference goalscorer (33 from 114 matches). Apparantly a potential weakness is lack of pace in defence, especially down the left side with ex - Southend and Cardiff man Searle now 33 years old and not the quickest.

Last Season

FGR 1-1 City - A penalty from Griffin 10 minutes from time gave FGR an undeserved draw after Bishop's 10th goal of the season had put City ahead in McEwan's first match in charge.

How the Teams Line Up

York City (Possible line-up) – Porter; Price, McGurk, Hotte, Peat; Convery, Panther, Dunning; Bishop, O'Neill, Donaldson.
Substitutes: Afandiyev, Mallon, Pounder, Dudgeon, Merris.

Forest Green (Possible line-up) – Clarke; Simpson, Richardson, Beswetherick, Searle; Garner, Wanless, Rogers; Meechan; Abbey, Rendall.
Substitutes: Harrison, Teixeira, Graham, Haldane, Hwell.

Form Guide (Last 5)

York City – WDWLW - Southport (A), Grays (A), Woking (H), Halifax (A), Cambridge (H)

Forest Green – DLDDL - Tamworth (A), Altrincham (A), Halifax (H), Exeter (A), Grays (H)

Away Travel Information

By Train: Not really recommended as the nearest station is at Stroud, 4 miles away. Taxis from there cost £6-£7. The other option is to get a bus from Stroud, Bus 93, run by Stagecoach Stroud Valleys, runs from Stroud Bus Station (5 minutes’ walk from the railway station, through the Merrywalks shopping centre) to Nailsworth and Forest Green at 30 minute intervals.

By Car: Leave M5 at Junction 13 (s/p Stroud A419). Follow A419 to Stroud, then on meeting A46, follow signs for ‘Bath, Nailsworth A46’. After 2-3 miles you’ll pass the Crown Inn on the RHS, then a petrol station on the left-hand side. In the centre of Nailsworth there’s one mini-roundabout; turn right into Spring Hill. Go up hill and continue along this road, which becomes Nympsfield Road, for approx 600 yards. The ground is on the left-hand side. There is plenty of on street parking in close proximity to the ground. Alternatively, you can park for free in Nailsworth town centre and catch a bus or walk up the hill (which is very tiring!).

By Coach: York Minstermen Travel

Related Links

Catch A Match / Away Travel
Travel Information for Forest Green (Last Seasons)

YorkCityFC.com Prediction League

Official Forest Green Rovers Website
ForestGreenRovers.com
Forest Green Mad
RGRFC Message Board

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