TT MATCH PREVIEW – York City (H) by Steve Harris

TT PREVIEW

Steve Harris – @steveharris84

Steve Harris previews the game at Plainmoor

TORQUAY UNITED VS YORK CITY

Venue: Plainmoor, Torquay

Date: Saturday 15^th April 2023

Kick-off: 3pm

CURRENT FORM

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

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

TOP SCORERS

Torquay: Aaron Jarvis (15)

York: Lennell John-Lewis (12)

HEAD TO HEAD

Torquay: 6

Draw: 8

York: 7

YORK FACTFILE

Year founded: 1922

Nickname: The Minstermen

Last season’s league finish: 5^th in 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: MICHAEL MORTON

After joining the Minstermen in December 2022 as David Webb’s assistant, Michael Morton was appointed as interim manager following the dismissal of Webb.

Morton started his coaching career in 2005 with Leeds United and later moved on to Manchester City, where he worked in their academy coaching and talent identification. He has also served as the head of the York-based academy I2I. In addition to this, he has also had a stint as manager of Tadcaster Albion.

PLAYER TO WATCH: MARK ELLIS

A familiar face to the Plainmoor faithful from the five seasons that he spent with the Gulls between 2007 and 2012, not to mention the 12-match loan spell he spent with United earlier in the campaign, Mark Ellis is amongst the most experienced campaigners in the National League.

After progressing through the youth ranks at Exeter City, Ellis joined Bolton Wanderers at the age of 16 before joining United – initially on loan in 2007 and later making the move permanent in 2008.

He left Plainmoor in 2012 to join Crewe Alexandra, Shrewsbury Town, Carlisle United, Tranmere Rovers and Barrow – and he is on loan with the Minstermen from the latter.

ELLIS STATS:

Position: Centre Back

Date of Birth: 30th September 1988 – 34 years-old

Place of Birth: Kingsbridge

Height: 1.88m

Former Clubs: Bolton, Torquay, Forest Green Rovers, Crewe, Shrewsbury, Carlisle, Leyton Orient, Tranmere, Notts County, Barrow, Solihull

NL Stats 22-23: Played 21, Goals 2, Yellow/Red Cards 4/0

OLD BOYS

Torquay: Asa Hall

York: Fraser Kerr, Manny Duku, Mark Ellis

LAST MEETING

York City 1-0 Torquay United

Saturday 8th October 2022

Alex Hurst’s second-half winner helped York beat Torquay and extend their winless league run to six matches.

Hurst picked up the ball on halfway and ran clear before firing under Gulls keeper Mark Halstead with 19 minutes left.

The goal allowed City to make amends for their disappointing midweek defeat to Halifax.

Prior to Hurst’s strike, Lenell John-Lewis had gone close for York and Maziar Kouhyar also hit the bar.

At the other end, a number of smart stops from Ethan Ross denied the visitors, most notably Aaron Jarvis and Millwall loanee Chinwike Okoli.

POSSIBLE LINE-UPS

Torquay United (3-5-2):

Mark Halstead

Shaun Donnellan – Nico Lawrence – Dean Moxey

Jack Stobbs – Kevin Dawson – Asa Hall – Tom Lapslie – Lewis Collins

Frank Nouble – Aaron Jarvis

York City (3-5-2):

Ryan Whitley

Michael Duckworth – Mark Ellis – Adam Crookes

Alex Whittle – Olly Dyson – Paddy McLaughlin – Shaq Forde – Mitch Hancox

Alex Hurst – Danny Rowe