By Dave Flett

PRE-SEASON friendlies are normally a notoriously unreliable indication of a club's fortunes for the forthcoming campaign.

The fact that York City won none of their four July fixtures against Premiership and Football League opposition should, therefore, not lead to the mass ringing of alarm bells.

Neither should a 3-0 victory at UniBond League outfit Guiseley and a 9-0 demolition of newly-formed Sunday morning team Melbourne give birth to false optimism.

What does provide reason for encouragement, however, is that City's newly-assembled squad have gradually improved in the build-up to this weekend's Conference kick off.

A 2-0 defeat against a Doncaster Rovers side, who appear destined to shine in League One this season, saw City get their pre-season programme off to a tough start.

Chris Brass' men did better against a strong Middlesbrough team, featuring Juninho, Szilard Nemeth and Massimo Macarone, but were beaten 6-1 with the manager grabbing a late consolation goal.

New signing Paul Groves opened his account for City with an early goal in the next test against a full-strength Sheffield Wednesday side but the Owls fought back to gain a lucky 2-1 win.

Guiseley were then seen off thanks to Paul Robinson's first goal for his new club and other efforts from trialist strikers Jonny Rowan and Paul Brayson.

A City XI then drew 0-0 with local Sunday team Wilberfoss before mauling Melbourne with Lev Yalcin on target five times.

A useful Leeds United reserve side, including former Premiership star Chris Bart-Williams, were then fortunate to draw 1-1 at Bootham Crescent after summer signing Andy Bishop had headed the Minstermen in front.