York City manager Martin Gray claims that ‘the name of the game is now consistency’, ahead of Saturday’s National League North fixture at Alfreton Town.
North Street Stadium, Alfreton
Sat Nov 11, KO 3pm
Pay on the gate: Adults £14, Concessions & u21s £10, u15s £2
After last week’s hard-fought win at home to Curzon Ashton, there is an air of optimism at the club – but there is a clear message that a winning run is now more important than ever if the ultimate goal of promotion is to be achieved.
City have not won away for two months, while Alfreton have not won at home for over two months and Gray is expecting a tough afternoon in Derbyshire.
[arve url=”https://youtu.be/4UbCeuxtvjA” title=”Martin Gray pre-match interview | Alfreton Town ” /]
They have strengthened their squad since I last came across them and it won’t be an easy fixture”.
“But the name of the game now is consistency. Many people that I have spoke to in the game know that once we get a good run together, it will allow us to kick-on to where we need to be.
“The priority is getting another win and we are not going there with any other mindset”.
City will go into the game with no new injury concerns, but Gray has confirmed that on-loan goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell has returned to parent club Leeds United.
The young academy product has departed following the mid-week signing of 31-year-old stopper Adam Barlett from Darlington in midweek.
Barlett is expected to go straight into the City starting line-up on Saturday and the manager was quick in praising his new man between the sticks.
He also commended the performences of the departing youngster Peacock-Farrell, claiming that he will be one to watch in the future.
“I am very grateful of the support we have had from Leeds.
“I believe he will go on to be a top keeper (Peacock-Farrell).
“Coming out on loan is an eye opener, but it will only benefit him going forward,” Gray said.
| Pos | Team | Pld | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Salford City | 17 | 16 | 41 |
| 2 | Harrogate Town | 16 | 25 | 37 |
| 3 | Brackley | 16 | 16 | 32 |
| 4 | Spennymoor Town | 17 | 10 | 31 |
| 5 | Blyth Spartans | 17 | 9 | 30 |
| 6 | York City | 17 | 5 | 25 |
| 7 | Chorley | 16 | 3 | 25 |
| 8 | Stockport County | 17 | 8 | 24 |
| 9 | Tamworth | 16 | 1 | 24 |
| 10 | Bradford P A | 17 | 2 | 23 |
| 11 | Curzon Ashton | 18 | -6 | 23 |
| 12 | Kidderminster | 15 | 1 | 22 |
| 13 | AFC Telford | 16 | -4 | 22 |
| 14 | Darlington | 18 | -3 | 21 |
| 15 | Alfreton Town | 16 | 0 | 20 |
| 16 | Southport | 16 | -8 | 20 |
| 17 | Leamington | 17 | -8 | 19 |
| 18 | Gainsborough | 16 | -7 | 18 |
| 19 | Boston Utd | 17 | -10 | 15 |
| 20 | Nuneaton | 17 | -16 | 15 |
| 21 | FC United of Manchester | 16 | -11 | 14 |
| 22 | North Ferriby Utd | 16 | -30 | 7 |
“In my opinion, Bartlett is the best in this league and the league above as well. He has got great experience, calmness, and understanding of the game.
The club also signed 25-year-old striker James Gray from Torquay in midweek. The former Northern Ireland under-21 international is also expected to go straight into the squad for Saturday’s game, providing healthy competition city’s strike force.
Law looking to get one over his old club
Former Alfreton defender Josh Law reiterates that consistency is now the most important task for the club.
The versatile defender made 234 appearences in six seasons for Alferton after signing for his father, Nicky Law, in 2008.
However, speaking to BBC Radio York, Law was looking to the future.
“Every game we have is a must win really. You look at the table now, we can’t have anymore slip ups, we have to go there and get three points”.
City are currently sixth in the league, 16 points behind leaders Salford, but Law claims that the aim is still to win the league despite the sizable points difference.
“It’s a massive gap at the minute, we never imagined it would be. But it only takes three wins from us, and Salford and Harrogate to loose a couple and it changes everything.”
“They haven’t had their bad patch yet, but they will get it and hopefully it will coincide with our good patch.”