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After United's narrow defeat against promotion hopefuls Lincoln City in front of the BT Sport cameras at Plainmoor last weekend, Kevin Nicholson's Gulls are looking to bounce back when they play York City at home on Saturday. Torquay were unlucky not to come away with at least a draw against the Imps, but it did draw attention to the defence and highlighted the lack of experience, pace and adroitness that the Gulls are facing. Contrary to the back four, going forward, Torquay look rather impressive. Jamie Reid has bagged a couple of goals and has shown his ability whilst playing in and around an opposing defence. Joe Ward has become a great asset and, quite evidently due to his Premier League skill level, is a different level of class. Whilst the midfielder on-loan from West Bromwich Albion works relatively well with Luke Young, skipper Courtney Richards, Danny Sparks and Nathan Blissett (who desperately needs to score to boost his confidence), as aforementioned, it is Torquay’s defence that needs frantic improvement.

The last time Torquay played York City was Saturday 23rd March 2013 at Plainmoor in front of 2,871 spectators. Roger East was the referee and United were the victors with goals from Elliot Benyon on the 6th minute and Jarvis on the 23rd. York did pull one back from a Richard Cresswell penalty on the 73rd minute, but it wasn’t enough to not leave Devon empty handed. To put some perspective of where United are right now, Kevin Nicholson was a named substitute for that game and came on for goal scorer Elliot Benyon on the 74th minute. Kevin will lead the club from the bench this time around.

When the Minstermen (unfortunate nickname...) won the FA Trophy and were victorious over their play-off final rivals Luton Town in the same season, I don’t think any supporter of the club thought that they’d be fighting to get out of the Conference once again just four years later, especially after making the League Two play-off semi-finals in the 2013/2014 season. Quite ironic how comparable the two clubs are who face this coming Saturday. York’s first season back in the National League has had an average start, but superior over the Gulls’, playing eight, winning three, drawing two and losing three. Their last outing was a 4-0 triumph over National League newcomers Solihull Moors. Of course that game was at Bootham Cresent, City haven’t won an away game in over a year! Doesn’t bode well for United.

York had the following side for their last game:

Letheren, Rooney, Fry, Higgins, Whittle, Connolly, Heslop, Dixon, Johnson (Nti 46), Wright (Felix 74), Brodie (Fenwick 84)
Subs not used: Simpson, Clappison.

As for Torquay United, they’ve been in rather good form lately. Performances have been a much welcomed enhancement and that’s including last Saturday’s defeat. As previously mentioned, when the Gulls are attacking and putting on pressure going forward, they look threatening, sadly, it’s the complete opposite when one is referring to the defence.

One can’t imagine that manger Kevin Nicholson will change the starting XI or substitute bench for York’s visit:

Moore, Rowe-Turner, Gallifuoco, Young, Blissett (Williams 90 +5:00), Richards, Sparkes (Chaney 86), Verma, McGinty, Reid, Ward (Scrivens 90 +5:00)
Subs not used: Gerring, Chamberlain.

United fans were very dissatisfied with the very late changes made to the team and expressed their annoyance on social media and beyond as to why Nicholson did not bring on the substitutes earlier. In reply, the gaffer told fans via Facebook that he was in a reluctant position due to the score-line. Yet, one would presume that supporters would argue that case right back to Kevin as United were on the back foot for the last ten minutes, so a surge of an attacking response with the substitutes made just a little earlier, would have been sincerely welcomed.

However, that is now the past and we must look forward to the next set of points on offer. Let’s have your predictions, both result and attendance figures for the game against York City on Saturday, because both are critical.

COYY.

I think a win on Saturday, and a good one too. Thus:

TUFC (1) 3
York City (0) 0

Att: 2401

Attack York and put them under pressure and you'll score 2 or 3. They'll score too but you'll win if you do it this way. Play the waiting game and it's an opportunity wasted. Despite a couple of hefty wins against part timers Solihull and a badly out of form at the time Woking they have not been great. The Macc home game was a flukey 1-0 win too. Lots of York fans seem to think that they will see some sort of success this season so it's not only Arsenal fans that are completely clueless.

Jackie McNamara is as managerially astute as Tarzan and The Squirrel put together so you get my point.

That said, to be fair, he has had to field an entirely new set of players this season to last as most buggered off to pastures new upon relegation but he's just following on from last season. To add to Danny's stat about poor away record, York haven't kept a clean sheet away in over a year too and they haven't come back to win a game from a goal down since April 2014 at home to Morecambe, a game I was at and rounded off by a Russell Penn thunderbolt.

Just get at them and they'll fold. No other tactics necessary. Put the cheque in the post Nico.

Best of luck yellows!

Also be a bit wary of Brodie, he's carrying way too much timber and looks knackered half the time but he knows where the goals are still.

And while you're at it, Mr. Yorkieandy, come over to the Turnbull Ground on Saturday and watch Whitby Town vs Mickleover Sports.

wivelgull wrote:I think a win on Saturday, and a good one too. Thus:

TUFC (1) 3
York City (0) 0

Att: 2401

Not sure Brucie will agree with that

Interesting, in the OS preview Nicho says he didn't know about Lathropes groin injury. Well we did, Kev!

He also comments that Simon Hesflop did well for us while he was here. Really?

OK, I remember the one successful pass, but so many missed the target including a sitter of a goal he should have scored. Then he went and put about five away for Wrexham, the git.

First use of my season ticket tomorrow. Will be happy with a fighting display.....COYY

Kick-off time reverts to the usual 3 pm tomorrow.

Same lineup as last game and a great start from Torquay with a goal from Nathan Blissett on 6 minutes.

2-0 Blissett again. York have been a bit better after the first goal so it is great to be 2 up.

Excellent win boys, well done!

Great win and good to see Brodie get booked after the whistle

Yes, Matt Rhead is a much better fat centre forward than Brodie

Good win today. I thought we played some really good football. Blissett took his goals well and had one of his best games for some time. Moore looked more assured and we were never really looked in any difficulty.
York however were shocking, Brodie is absolutely useless. Connelly looked there most dangerous player and as soon as he pulled up that was it for them.
Some odd decisions today by the officials and I really thought we were going to end the match without any bookings until Richards fouled and that was it for him. Yellow.
I like the options that Nico has now off the bench. All in all a good days work against a really poor side. Feel a bit sorry for the York supporters travelling to watch that side.