Boss Mills hails City’s ‘incredible’ twin assault on Wembley glory (From York Press)
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Gary Mills hails York City’s ‘incredible’ twin assault on Wembley glory
11:21am Tuesday 8th May 2012 in Sport
By Dave Flett, Sports reporter
York City players Lanre Oyebanjo, Dan Parslow, Jamal Fyfield, Chris Smith, Jon Challinor, Adriano Moké and Moses Ashikodi celebrate booking a place at Wembley in the Blue Square Bet Premier play-off final
YORK City manager Gary Mills is targeting an “incredible” Wembley double having watched Matty Blair secure his team a place in the Blue Square Bet Premier play-off final against old rivals Luton.
Blair’s extra-time 111th-minute header settled a tense semi-final second leg at Mansfield Town yesterday, earning the Minstermen a 1-0 win on the day and a 2-1 aggregate triumph.
The goal means City will now make two trips to the world-famous national stadium on consecutive weekends.
First up is this Saturday’s FA Trophy final against Newport County and then, eight days later, on Sunday, May 20, Mills’ team will meet Luton under the arch to decide which club regains its Football League status.
On that mouthwatering prospect, a proud Mills said: “We are going to Wembley twice in a week. That doesn’t happen to many football clubs and how good does it feel?
“What a way to end an unbelievable season. It’s great for this football club and, now, we need the icing on the cake because to win both finals would be incredible.”
Luton lost 2-1 at Wrexham yesterday but the result was sufficient to take them through 3-2 on aggregate.
The Minstermen, meanwhile, once more relied upon their exemplary away form to complete the job, having been held to a 1-1 draw at Bootham Crescent last Wednesday.
On the character his team showed to become the first side to beat Mansfield at Field Mill since November 5, Mills said: “There were people saying that we had missed our chance when we could only draw at our place, but we came up with another away performance where my players have given me everything.
“Mansfield are a very strong side who were full of confidence having been on a great run, which is all credit to them.
“But we are a tough team to beat away from home and don’t concede many goals.
“We had to defend for our lives at times and God knows how many long throws we had to deal with but, as I have said throughout the season, if you don’t concede, you don’t lose.
“I didn’t see any nerves from my players on such a big occasion and I learned a lot about them again.”
Blair’s header was almost a carbon copy of the 90th-minute goal he scored at Luton to send City through to the FA Trophy final with Jason Walker providing the left-wing cross on this occasion rather than Jamal Fyfield.
City boss Mills added that the goal was another reward for his excellent work ethic, saying: “He frustrates himself sometimes and he probably wasn’t having one of his better games. But he has the energy to keep going both offensively and defensively in terms of helping his full-back out and he’s ended up getting another late header for us.”
’Keeper Michael Ingham also received plaudits from his manager for keeping a clean sheet in the face of another aerial bombardment from the Stags.
“Their long throws caused a bit of panic at times but my ’keeper was excellent,” Mills said. “He came and took a lot of crosses and was also on his front foot when balls were hit over the top.”
City will now monitor the fitness of defensive pair Chris Doig and Jon Challinor ahead of Saturday’s Trophy final with both players limping out of the action at Mansfield.
Mills added: “Chris Doig was feeling his calf again. We knew he wasn’t 100 per cent fit but I decided to go with him and it was the right call because he gave me everything.
“He played until he couldn’t any longer because he felt that by staying on he might cost us, but that only meant I had to put Dan Parslow in there and Pars has been exceptional for me this season.
“He is 100 per cent York City and competes for everything. He’s a credit to himself and the football club.
“Jon Challinor was also feeling his hamstring so it was right to take him off. We will have to see how he is for Saturday. If he can’t make that, then we’ll look to get him back for the play-off final.”
On-loan Middlesbrough defender Ben Gibson, however, will be back from his four-match suspension.
Comments(22)
NottsExile
says...
12:39pm Tue 8 May 12
I feel that our great club has the momentum to press on but we must beware of the wounded pride of Luton as they are desperate to reverse the current trend of our results against them.
Having said all that I have the utmost faith in the management and the players, so let's get behind them!
Budgie
says...
2:19pm Tue 8 May 12
Yorkie69
says...
2:28pm Tue 8 May 12
DQ Sussex
says...
2:48pm Tue 8 May 12
FAT: 7,500
Play-off final 6,000
tongey
says...
4:17pm Tue 8 May 12
paintitred
says...
5:06pm Tue 8 May 12
MAY 2012
20 SUN
15:00
York City FC (First Team) v Luton Town (First Team)
Football Conference - Premier
Referee: Simpson, Jeremy
Assistant Referee: Hart, Glen
Assistant Referee: Matthews, Adam
Fourth Official: Harrington, Tony
Sir Alex
says...
5:09pm Tue 8 May 12
paintitred wrote:Who is the home team and will we wear white shorts?
PLAY OFF FINAL OFFICALS
MAY 2012
20 SUN
15:00
York City FC (First Team) v Luton Town (First Team)
Football Conference - Premier
Referee: Simpson, Jeremy
Assistant Referee: Hart, Glen
Assistant Referee: Matthews, Adam
Fourth Official: Harrington, Tony
paintitred
says...
5:17pm Tue 8 May 12
dont know abt the white shorts
lol
Even AndyD
says...
5:54pm Tue 8 May 12
DQ Sussex wrote:Far, far more interest in the play off game. I'd say 7000 FAT and probably about 11,000 for the Luton match.
Predictions for York turnout:
FAT: 7,500
Play-off final 6,000
DQ Sussex
says...
5:57pm Tue 8 May 12
Even AndyD wrote:agree that it should be more for the play-off final. I'm thinking that people have already bought tickets for the FA Trophy final - and then another one 8 days later will be beyond a lot of people financially. Its expensive following a successful team!
DQ Sussex wrote: Predictions for York turnout: FAT: 7,500 Play-off final 6,000Far, far more interest in the play off game. I'd say 7000 FAT and probably about 11,000 for the Luton match.
duffy
says...
7:11pm Tue 8 May 12
Even AndyD wrote:We won't take 11,000 after many have spent on the first game. We only took 9000 against Oxford and its again on a Sunday. Can't see more than 8000 tops.
DQ Sussex wrote:Far, far more interest in the play off game. I'd say 7000 FAT and probably about 11,000 for the Luton match.
Predictions for York turnout:
FAT: 7,500
Play-off final 6,000
KAT1965
says...
7:57pm Tue 8 May 12
duffy wrote:But at least its not at stupid o'clock like last time. Didn't get back till midnight two years ago - on a school night.
Even AndyD wrote:We won't take 11,000 after many have spent on the first game. We only took 9000 against Oxford and its again on a Sunday. Can't see more than 8000 tops.
DQ Sussex wrote:Far, far more interest in the play off game. I'd say 7000 FAT and probably about 11,000 for the Luton match.
Predictions for York turnout:
FAT: 7,500
Play-off final 6,000
Sidneysway
says...
8:12pm Tue 8 May 12
Even AndyD
says...
9:03pm Tue 8 May 12
duffy wrote:Better team than faced Oxford, hence much higher home attendances this year. Also, its a better time.
Even AndyD wrote:We won't take 11,000 after many have spent on the first game. We only took 9000 against Oxford and its again on a Sunday. Can't see more than 8000 tops.
DQ Sussex wrote:Far, far more interest in the play off game. I'd say 7000 FAT and probably about 11,000 for the Luton match.
Predictions for York turnout:
FAT: 7,500
Play-off final 6,000
But whatever, there can just be you, me and a cup of Bovril there as long as we win!
swh1963
says...
9:21pm Tue 8 May 12
Even AndyD wrote:I saw a comment from someone somewhere that said the numerical disadvantage between our fans and theirs might work to our advantage (whatever number we take) as Luton fans are not only easily silenced but turn on their own team when they see their God-given right to be back in the league slipping away. An early goal would do the job...
duffy wrote:Better team than faced Oxford, hence much higher home attendances this year. Also, its a better time.
Even AndyD wrote:We won't take 11,000 after many have spent on the first game. We only took 9000 against Oxford and its again on a Sunday. Can't see more than 8000 tops.
DQ Sussex wrote:Far, far more interest in the play off game. I'd say 7000 FAT and probably about 11,000 for the Luton match.
Predictions for York turnout:
FAT: 7,500
Play-off final 6,000
But whatever, there can just be you, me and a cup of Bovril there as long as we win!
duffy
says...
10:27pm Tue 8 May 12
swh1963 wrote:I'm not convinced the number of fans actually makes any difference to the outcome when playing at Wembley. We just failed to turn up on the last two occasions.
Even AndyD wrote:I saw a comment from someone somewhere that said the numerical disadvantage between our fans and theirs might work to our advantage (whatever number we take) as Luton fans are not only easily silenced but turn on their own team when they see their God-given right to be back in the league slipping away. An early goal would do the job...
duffy wrote:Better team than faced Oxford, hence much higher home attendances this year. Also, its a better time.
Even AndyD wrote:We won't take 11,000 after many have spent on the first game. We only took 9000 against Oxford and its again on a Sunday. Can't see more than 8000 tops.
DQ Sussex wrote:Far, far more interest in the play off game. I'd say 7000 FAT and probably about 11,000 for the Luton match.
Predictions for York turnout:
FAT: 7,500
Play-off final 6,000
But whatever, there can just be you, me and a cup of Bovril there as long as we win!
skilly
says...
8:37am Wed 9 May 12
duffy
says...
9:06am Wed 9 May 12
skilly wrote:113 available on the FA website.just pick them up on the day from the ticket office
Are the club still selling the trophy final tickets? If so what block are they selling now
yorkielass
says...
4:34pm Wed 9 May 12
duffy wrote:I heard that our ex manager and the previous team were a bit discouraged by us being so outnumbered by Oxford fans, so I think it does make a difference. Probably not as much as the awful acoustics at Wembley though. We sang and sang last time but just couldn't hear it. The sound just disappears. Having said that, today's gaffer seems much more resilient and the squad are superb, so maybe it won't make a difference to them.
swh1963 wrote:I'm not convinced the number of fans actually makes any difference to the outcome when playing at Wembley. We just failed to turn up on the last two occasions.
Even AndyD wrote:I saw a comment from someone somewhere that said the numerical disadvantage between our fans and theirs might work to our advantage (whatever number we take) as Luton fans are not only easily silenced but turn on their own team when they see their God-given right to be back in the league slipping away. An early goal would do the job...
duffy wrote:Better team than faced Oxford, hence much higher home attendances this year. Also, its a better time.
Even AndyD wrote:We won't take 11,000 after many have spent on the first game. We only took 9000 against Oxford and its again on a Sunday. Can't see more than 8000 tops.
DQ Sussex wrote:Far, far more interest in the play off game. I'd say 7000 FAT and probably about 11,000 for the Luton match.
Predictions for York turnout:
FAT: 7,500
Play-off final 6,000
But whatever, there can just be you, me and a cup of Bovril there as long as we win!
yorkielass
says...
4:34pm Wed 9 May 12
duffy wrote:I heard that our ex manager and the previous team were a bit discouraged by us being so outnumbered by Oxford fans, so I think it does make a difference. Probably not as much as the awful acoustics at Wembley though. We sang and sang last time but just couldn't hear it. The sound just disappears. Having said that, today's gaffer seems much more resilient and the squad are superb, so maybe it won't make a difference to them.
swh1963 wrote:I'm not convinced the number of fans actually makes any difference to the outcome when playing at Wembley. We just failed to turn up on the last two occasions.
Even AndyD wrote:I saw a comment from someone somewhere that said the numerical disadvantage between our fans and theirs might work to our advantage (whatever number we take) as Luton fans are not only easily silenced but turn on their own team when they see their God-given right to be back in the league slipping away. An early goal would do the job...
duffy wrote:Better team than faced Oxford, hence much higher home attendances this year. Also, its a better time.
Even AndyD wrote:We won't take 11,000 after many have spent on the first game. We only took 9000 against Oxford and its again on a Sunday. Can't see more than 8000 tops.
DQ Sussex wrote:Far, far more interest in the play off game. I'd say 7000 FAT and probably about 11,000 for the Luton match.
Predictions for York turnout:
FAT: 7,500
Play-off final 6,000
But whatever, there can just be you, me and a cup of Bovril there as long as we win!
yorkielass
says...
4:35pm Wed 9 May 12
yorkielass wrote:oops, sorry, didn't mean to post twice
duffy wrote:I heard that our ex manager and the previous team were a bit discouraged by us being so outnumbered by Oxford fans, so I think it does make a difference. Probably not as much as the awful acoustics at Wembley though. We sang and sang last time but just couldn't hear it. The sound just disappears. Having said that, today's gaffer seems much more resilient and the squad are superb, so maybe it won't make a difference to them.
swh1963 wrote:I'm not convinced the number of fans actually makes any difference to the outcome when playing at Wembley. We just failed to turn up on the last two occasions.
Even AndyD wrote:I saw a comment from someone somewhere that said the numerical disadvantage between our fans and theirs might work to our advantage (whatever number we take) as Luton fans are not only easily silenced but turn on their own team when they see their God-given right to be back in the league slipping away. An early goal would do the job...
duffy wrote:Better team than faced Oxford, hence much higher home attendances this year. Also, its a better time.
Even AndyD wrote:We won't take 11,000 after many have spent on the first game. We only took 9000 against Oxford and its again on a Sunday. Can't see more than 8000 tops.
DQ Sussex wrote:Far, far more interest in the play off game. I'd say 7000 FAT and probably about 11,000 for the Luton match.
Predictions for York turnout:
FAT: 7,500
Play-off final 6,000
But whatever, there can just be you, me and a cup of Bovril there as long as we win!
tips says...
12:35pm Tue 8 May 12