Gainsborough Preview (FA Cup)

[Match Reports]

_________________ Gainsborough vs York City
__________________-_____Northholme, Gainsborough
___________________-Saturday 22nd October 2005, 3.00pm
________________________

City will be trying to win their first FA Cup game since they beat Swansea in 2002 against an in - form Gainsborough side, who play one league below the Minstermen in Conference North.

For York City, the Reds are somewhat short of centre backs with skipper Mark Hotte injured. The former Oldham and Scarborough player has a collarbone injury and will be out for 6 weeks at the very least. Boss Billy McEwan has said that he wants to bring in another centre back as cover but as of Thursday he hasn't done so, although clubs may not wish their players to be cup - tied so any loan move is more likely to be next week. Hotte's injury means James Dudgeon returns to the side after one game on the substitutes bench. He will probably partner loanee David McGurk, unless McGurk's club Darlington refuse permission for him to play. If that is the (unlikely) case, McEwan will be forced to play left back Nathan Peat out of position at centre back with Dave Merris at left back, or youngster Michael Staley if he is fit (he was injured in the reserves' 2-0 midweek success against Barnsley). Peat could well be recalled to the side anyway in his more natural position of left back after being introduced against Canvey. In midfield, City also have injury concerns - former Scottish under 21 international midfielder Emmanuel Panther also was injured against a very physical Canvey team and is very doubtful for this game. This means that McEwan may bring in Lev Yalcin for his first start of the season. Other contenders for the position include summer signing Ashley Winn and youngster Byron Webster. Up front, McEwan will probably stick with his preferred attacking trio of O'Neill, Bishop and donaldson, although stewart may have a chance of a recall after a reasonable showing as a substitute against Canvey. Loan striker Palmer has returned to Grimsby which limits McEwan's options from the bench.

For Gainsborough, the Conference North team have recorded two home wins in a row to build their confidence ahead of a massive game for them. Last Saturday barrow were beaten by 3 goals to 2, and in their most recent game Stalybridge were beaten 1-0. They are also unbeaten in seven games. City have several familiar faces lining up against them for this game including former trialist striker Jonny Rowan. The player has so far netted three times this season and will want to score against the side that didn't offer him a contract last summer. Rowan's strike partner for most of this season, David Reeves, is another name City fans will remember all too well from the 1990s - the former Chesterfield and Carlisle player had a habit of finding the net against the Minstermen and is Trinity's joint highest scorer this season with four goals. Defender Richard Pell has also got four goals this term and is a threat from set plays.

How the Teams Line-Up

York City (Possible): Porter; Price, McGurk, Dudgeon, Peat; Convery, Yalcin, Dunning; Bishop, O'Neill, Donaldson.
Substitutes; Stockdale, Merris, Stewart, Mallon, Webster.

Gainsborough (Possible): Holmshaw; W.Parker, Burley, Ellis, Pell; Needham, Trout, Higgins, Hindley; Reeves, Udenkwor.
Substitutes; Charles, Smith, Sherlock, Rowan, Caudwell.

Current Form (Last 5)

City - LWWDW - Aldershot (A), Tamworth (A), Exeter (H), Gravesend (A), Canvey (H).

Gainsborough - DDWWW - Redditch (A), Leigh (FA Cup) (A), Leigh (FA Cup) (H), Barrow (H), Stalybridge (H).

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