York City vs Plymouth ARGYLE-Match Preview

Plymouth Argyle are once again on the road heading for York City on Easter Monday after a 1-0 victory at Home Park in the Devon Expressway Derby against Exeter City on Easter Saturday.    

A fixture on Bank Holiday Monday is not so important than York City vs Plymouth Argyle.  With both teams fighting against relegation to the Conference Premier, each point that is picked up is so significant for that spot in Npower League Two next season.  After York City’s goalless draw at the Memorial Ground home of Bristol Rovers it moved them up one place to 23^rd place just above the relegation line.  For Plymouth Argyle, the Pilgrims moved to 20^th place following 3 points after the only goal in the game came in the first half from Jason Banton to win the game. 

With Plymouth Argyle winning three consecutive games in a row home to Fleetwood, away at Southend and at home to Exeter City; can they make it four wins in a row away at York since 2008? The four successive victories that season were against Leicester City, Barnsley, Southampton and Burnley.  Plymouth Argyle finished 10^th in the Championship that season under Paul Sturrock. Since the appointment of former Northern Ireland boss Nigel Worthington as York City manager on the 4^th March 2013, two days after sacking Gary Mills, the club have drawn two and lost three games. So on Easter Monday the players will be looking for their first victory under their current manager.   

The teams have met once already this current season at Home Park on December 8^th 2012.  The result of this fixture was a victory for Argyle winning 2-0.  Since this fixture both clubs have named new managers.  Former York City manager Gary Mills was first appointed the Minstermen’s boss on 13^th October 2010 after leaving fellow conference premier club Tamworth.  York City were promoted back to Npower League Two last season, the 2011-12 season, after reaching the play-off final at Wembley against Luton, winning 2-1. City was back in Npower League Two after an 8 year absence.  Following 11 games without gaining 3 points Gary Mills was sacked on 2^nd March 2013. Two days after his sacking Nigel Worthington was appointed the new manager.  As for Argyle, Carl Fletcher was relieved of the job on New Year’s Day after a 2-1 defeat to Bristol Rovers.  Formally an Argyle midfielder, Fletcher first took the job on 19^th September 2011 after Peter Reid was sacked the previous day.  Fletcher guided the Pilgrims to League safety that season and was awarded with a one year rolling contract.  Following a run of poor results Fletcher was sacking by Chairman James Brent.  John Sheridan was appointed the Pilgrims manager on 6^th January 2013 on a contract until the end of the season.                      

Following Saturday’s deserved result at Home Park against Exeter City, midfielder Lee Cox, who is on loan from Swindon Town, is doubtful for the trip to York as he suffered a shoulder injury in the first half of the Derby. If the midfielder is unavailable for selection Luke Young will be aiming to make his second start under Sheridan after coming on for the injured Cox at the start of the second half.  A player who is also doubtful for the fixture is defender Anthony Charles; the former Aldershot player suffered a reoccurrence of his groin injury in the 2-1 defeat to Gillingham at the MEMS Preistfield Stadium.  On-loan Sunderland midfielder Adam Reed could make his home debut against Argyle after making his first appearance against Bristol Rovers last Saturday.  Worthington could also welcome back striker Michael Coulson after damaging knee ligaments in October.  Midfielder Scott Kerr is doubtful for the fixture through a calf strain.         

Available: -  Jake Cole, Rene Gilmartin, Ollie Chenoweth, Durrell Berry, Curtis Nelson, Maxime Blanchard, Guy Branston, Paul Wotton, Onismor Bhasera, Jason Banton, Conor Hourihane, Luke Young, Andres Gurrieri, Ronan Murray, Paris Cowan-Hall, Joe Bryan, Jared Sims, Isaac Vassell, Nick Chadwick, Reuben Reid, Tyler Harvey, Matt LeCointe, 

Doubtful: - Lee Cox (shoulder injury)

Unavailable: - Jamie Richards (on loan to Weymouth), Warren Feeney (lack of match fitness), Jamie Lowry (ankle injury), Anthony Charles (reoccurrence of groin injury)