YORK CITY (A) PREVIEW by Steve Harris

TT PREVIEW

Steve Harris – @steveharris84

Steve Harris previews the game at York

YORK CITY VS TORQUAY UNITED

Venue: LNER Community Stadium, York

Date: 8th October 2022

Kick-off: 3pm

CURRENT FORM

Torquay: W, L, D, L, D, L

York: W, W, D, L, W, L

HEAD TO HEAD

Torquay: 6

Draw: 8

York: 6

TOP SCORERS

Torquay: Will Goodwin (3)

York: Lenell John-Lewis (6)

YORK CITY FACTFILE

Year founded: 1922

Nickname: The Minstermen

Last season’s league finish: 5th – National League North (promoted via play-offs)

Notable honours:

Division Four/Division Three/League Two:

Winners: 1983-84

FA Trophy: Winners: 2011-12, 2016-17

MANAGER: JOHN ASKEY

John Askey led York City to a return to the National League following a victory over a Boston United side managed by former Gulls boss Paul Cox in the National League North play-off final in the 2021-22 season.

As a player, Askey made a record 679 appearances for Macclesfield Town and scored 155 goals and was part of the Silkmen side that won promotion to the Football League under Sammy McIlroy in the 1996-97 season. He later had two spells as manager at Moss Rose, between 2003 and 2004 and 2013 and 2018. His second stint in charge saw him emulate McIlroy by winning the National League title with Macclesfield in the 2017-18 season.

Unsuccessful spells with Shrewsbury Town and Port Vale followed before he took charge of the Minsterman, after an initial spell as assistant to Steve Watson, and led them to promotion.

PLAYER TO WATCH: LENELL JOHN-LEWIS

The experienced forward, who is nicknamed ‘The Shop’ –for obvious reasons, joined City from Grimsby Town in February initially on loan before later making the move permanent.

John-Lewis has spent the majority of his career playing in the Football League for the likes of Lincoln City, Bury and Newport County, as well as Shrewsbury Town where he previously served under John Askey.

JOHN-LEWIS STATS:

Position: Striker

Date of Birth: 17th May 1989 – 33 Years Old

Birthplace: London

Height: 1.80m

Former Clubs: Grantham, Lincoln, Bury, Grimsby, Newport, Shrewsbury, Hereford

NL Stats 22-23: Played 11, Goals Scored 6, Yellow/Red 2/0

OLD BOYS

Torquay: Asa Hall

York: Fraser Kerr, Manny Duku

PREVIOUS HEAD TO HEAD

YORK CITY 0-0 TORQUAY UNITED

17th December 2016

Bottom-of-the-table York came close to securing their first National League victory since September, but Torquay forced a goalless draw.

The Minstermen dominated from start to finish at Bootham Crescent, with Jon Parkin and Rhys Murphy both troubling visiting goalkeeper Brendan Moore on numerous occasions.

Parkin lobbed Moore – and the crossbar – before stabbing wide in the first half, while Murphy came closest with an attempt at the near post in the 78th minute.

Torquay’s best opportunity came in the third minute, Kyle Letheren forced into a smart one-handed save to deny Ben Gerring from close range.