All you need to know and more ahead of Bootham Crescent trip
York City v Luton TownSky Bet League 2
Tuesday 16th September 2014, kick-off 7.45pm
Live commentary on Hatters Player, DiverseFM, BBC3CR and lutontown.co.uk
• Hatters go in search of first win and goal at York in 13 years
• York lost once this term but have same points total as the Town
• Head2Head: Town wins: 11, York wins: 9, Draws: 6
WHO? York City, aka the Minstermen, from York, Yorkshire, England. City are managed by Nigel Worthington and last season he guided the club to a seventh place finish in League 2. If you thought the Town’s start to last season was a slow one, think again. York were down in 22nd place in League 2 on 29th December but a run of 17 games unbeaten saw the Minstermen qualify for the Play-Offs. However, York would go onto lose to Fleetwood, the eventual Play-Off winners, in the semi-finals.
WHERE? Bootham Crescent is 177 miles from the Maple Road car park. Those familiar with Bootham Crescent will know the terracing is open to the elements behind the goal, whilst the away seating section is covered to the side of the pitch with some iffy views of the pitch (especially towards the back).
BOB IT. York’s a lovely place and definitely worth a day trip, but a Tuesday night’s probably not the best time to check out the Jorvik Centre and cathedral. With trains unlikely to get you home (unless you want to leave at half-time), your best bet is to book with the Bobbers Travel Club. They leave Luton train station bus stop LS12 at 2pm with the fare £29 for adults and £26 for concessions. If you have a last-minute urge to join them for the trip, give them a call on 01234 856542.
THE LAST TIME. Over 30,000 Town supporters would walk away from Wembley disappointed the last time they saw the Hatters play York. The Minstermen fought back from conceding Andre Gray’s early goal in the 2012 Conference Play-Off final to win promotion with Matty Blair’s contentious winner securing a 2-1 win and for Gary Mills’ side.
BOOTHAM GLOOM. The Hatters’ recent record from their trips to York have been miserable to say the very least. The Town haven’t even scored in their past five visits to Bootham Crescent – losing the last four. In total the Hatters have won three of their 13 trips to York. The last time the Town tasted victory in this part of the world was 13 years ago to the day yesterday [Monday] when goals from Carl Griffiths and Ian Hiller secured a 2-1 win that was most famous (or infamous) for Steve Howard’s double-penalty-miss-drama right in front of the Town contingent.
THIS TIME ROUND. York technically saw their 23-match unbeaten run in League 2 end in a 2-0 defeat at Burton on Saturday, although they lost in the Play-Offs to Fleetwood last term. The Minstermen drew their first five games this season before winning at Stevenage over a week ago. They lie just two places above the Town in the table, level on eight points.
CLUB CONNECTIONS. The Town have Jonathan Smith and Alex Lawless in their ranks as former York men, but City do not have any player in their ranks who has played in Luton colours. The Minstermen’s head of coaching is Richard Dryden, a former centre-half who played for the Town in the early 2000s.
REF WATCH. Mark Brown will be the man-in-the-middle tonight. The Hull-based whistler has taken charge of seven games this season, and has brandished just nine yellow cards. It will be the first time he has taken charge of a Luton match.
ON THE DAY. 16th September. Notable Town victories on this date include a 7-1 hammering of Cardiff City in 1978 and a 2-1 victory in the top flight at Manchester City in 1959 – Billy Bingham on target twice.
TICKETS PLEASE! Just over 200 tickets were sold in advance from the Luton Town ticket office but admission to Bootham Crescent can be gained on the night at the turnstile. Click here for prices.
TOWN TEAM NEWS. Former York man Alex Lawless remains out after aggravating a hamstring injury in the defeat to Plymouth. New signing Nathan Doyle continues to improve his fitness, whilst Fraser Franks and Andy Parry are also definitely out of contention. Curtley Williams is expected to start despite coming off in the win over Cheltenham; whilst Paul Benson, Paul Connolly and Shaun Whalley resumed training on Monday and could be involved. Matthew Robinson serves the last game of his three-match suspension.
LIVE AND ONLINE.Hatters Player is the only place to listen to online commentary of the Hatters this season and once again the DiverseFM team will be bringing subscribers all the action from Bootham Crescent. What’s more there will be a full report, reaction and photographs post-match and live text updates during the match itself.
GET SOCIAL. Remember to subscribe to our official YouTube channel for free, as well as checking out the official FACEBOOK, TWITTER and INSTRAGRAM accounts, too, and don’t forget to use the hashtag #COYH