We look ahead to this weekend's fixture...
YORK CITY V GILLINGHAM
npower League Two, Saturday December 22
Bootham Crescent
Kick-Off, 3pm
Team News:
Martin Allen will welcome Chris Whelpdale back to his match day squad after the midfielder suffered a groin injury in build up to the game against Fleetwood Town last weekend.
He trained on Thursday and is available for selection if required.
As for York they may include defender Lanre Oyebanjo who sat out the defeat to Plymouth a fortnight ago with a hamstring problem and has had another week’s training having not featured against Bristol Rovers on Saturday.
Patrick McLaughlin is fighting to be ready in time after being stretchered off that same game. The midfielder’s condition is likely to be assessed at the last moment.
Chris Doig (ankle) and Ashley Chambers (groin) are also doubts with their respective injuries.
Striker Oli Johnson is definitely out of the game as he has recently had surgery on a groin injury which has kept him out for over a month.
John McReady (dislocated shoulder) may come back in to contention after regaining match fitness, but striker Michael Coulson (knee) is out for the rest of the season.
Martin’s Message…
As the Gills begin a busy festive period with York being the first of five games in 15 days, Martin has brushed aside claims that it will be `hectic,` and says plans have been put in place to ensure the players are not over worked.
Speaking in his midweek press conference he said: I don’t see it as putting the strain on and I don’t see it as hectic. We did our planning for this about a month ago so the players knew their schedule, it was all put in to place and they knew what they were doing.
“When you have a lot of games you don’t train as much so that isn’t hectic. Hopefully they spend more time on the sofa resting, so that isn’t hectic.
“We are looking forward to it, we can’t wait, we’re excited by it and it’s a lovely time to play football.”
Current Form (last five league games):
York: DLWLW (7 points)
Gills: WLDWD (8 points)
York – the season so far…
York are back in the football league after an eight year absence following their Conference play-off final win earlier in the year.
They overcame Luton 2-1 at Wembley in May to gain entrance to npower League Two. They have begun the season well and are currently lying in 14th place in the table (seven wins, nine draws and six defeats).
As for their progress in cup competitions York were eliminated in the first round of the Capital One Cup after defeat to Doncaster Rovers on penalties at the Keepmoat Stadium.
In the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy they got to the second round, only to suffer a heavy home 4-0 defeat at the hands of Coventry.
Finally in the FA Cup York went out at the first hurdle after a first round replay loss at the hands of AFC Wimbledon, 4-3 being the final score after extra time.
We’ve met before….
The two sides have played each other in the past, but not for 13 years with the last encounter taking place in January 1999.
This was at Priestfield and the Gills ran out 3-1 winners following goals from Carl Asaba, Bob Taylor and Guy Butters.
The two sides have met 36 times in total – the Gills have won 12 times, York have 11 victories to their name and the other 13 matches have resulted in a draw.
Officials:
Referee: Stephen Martin
Assistants: Matthew Dicicco & Iain Siddell
Fourth Official: Keith Lawson