1 The people of York turned up in expectation, but left with a familiar foreboding

A home following of 2,800 fans was a terrific response as their club began life at the lowest level during any point of a proud 95-year history. It was 600 more than attended last term’s opening home match in the division above and also more than witnessed the League Cup Bootham Crescent curtain-raisers against Yorkshire neighbours Bradford and Doncaster during the two campaigns before.

Not since Nigel Worthington’s first full season in charge, when Ryan Jarvis grabbed the only goal in a scrappy win over Northampton in front of 3,746 home supporters four years ago, have City kicked off a campaign in North Yorkshire with a higher turnout. Many fans were persuaded to keep the faith by the efforts of Mills’ squad during the second half of last term when top-ten form almost spared the club the humility of back-to-back relegations and culminated in the FA Trophy being lifted at Wembley.

But, for some, opening-day defeat to Telford was treated as the latest in a painful sequence of setbacks, which was illustrated by the chorus of half-time boos that grew louder at the final whistle. Telford fans, in stark contrast, could not have been more ebullient about their team’s performance.

There have, however, been bigger tests of loyalty in the past and it is to be hoped that the understandable disappointment is not reflected too heavily in the next Bootham Crescent gate.

York Press:

2 Telford issued a warning of the task ahead

The Shropshire side arrived at Bootham Crescent with modest ambitions this season, having endured relegation dogfights during their last two campaigns. Other than eventual match-winner Matthew Barnes-Homer, the visitors also boasted few names familiar to football followers outside the realms of the regionalised leagues.

But, while giving credit to opposing teams is not always easy after a disappointing defeat, Telford shattered any illusions that this National League North campaign will be as straightforward as the bookmakers had suggested. While 3-1 title favourites Salford were being humbled at home to Darlington, a City team that the odds compilers were predicting will be their only realistic challengers also came a cropper.

Telford’s fitness levels were indicative of a team who are part-time in name only – with new boss Rob Edwards having persuaded his charges to train four nights a week, which is just as often as their professional counterparts. Mills refuted all suggestions that the result was a wake-up call for his players afterwards, but Telford looked the hungrier side in terms of winning their key battles and the City boss is unlikely to accept a repeat performance.

York Press:

3 Louis Almond is not yet on the same wavelength as Jon Parkin

Pre-season is normally the time to get accustomed to the nuances of new team-mates, but there was evidence against Telford that the attacking intuition between the former Tranmere striker and City’s veteran talisman is not yet instinctive. This was highlighted most notably in the first half when Parkin, whose brain has always been quicker than his body, might have twice sent Almond clear on goal with a speedily-taken throw and a first-time lofted pass had the latter appreciated fully the former’s ability to open up defences in one movement – be that with his head, boot or, indeed, hands.

Almond is mobile enough to capitalise on such service and will now know that, with anticipation, he can set off on a forward run in the knowledge that the ball will, more often than not, arrive at his feet. On Saturday, though, as well as Telford’s back three defended, they were not sufficiently stretched or tested by positive bursts in behind them.

York Press:

4 Michael Rankine was missed

The 32-year-old powerhouse forward might not have been a first choice in Gary Mills’ starting XI during the close-season warm-up games, but he did cause havoc on almost every occasion that he was introduced from the bench. With City struggling to break down their opponents in open play, it would have been interesting to see how the visitors would have coped if 61st-minute substitute Sam Muggleton had been accompanied on to the pitch by Rankine, who was ruled out with a hamstring problem.

With the twin targets of Parkin and Rankine to contend with, Telford might have just crumbled under the pressure of Muggleton’s long throw.

York Press:

5 City’s midfield must impose themselves more

The direct nature of their team’s play at times did not always allow Simon Heslop and Adriano Moke to express themselves, but City still needed more from the duo, who could not find a decisive pass all afternoon. When Mills’ 2011/12 promotion-winning team were in their pomp, the midfield triumvirate of Andre Boucaud, Scott Kerr and Paddy McLaughlin used to dictate matches from the middle of the pitch.

The make-up of this team is different, of course, but Mills still requires players in his engine room who are ready to take responsibility and grab a game by the scruff of its neck. Heslop proved he is capable of that on significant occasions last term when, as skipper, he led by example with his performances against the likes of Lincoln and Forest Green.

Without the armband now, he will still be needed to inspire those around him. Moke, meanwhile, has struggled to hold down a first XI place during two spells at City under Mills and, at 27, really must now earn the trust of his manager, who has questioned his ability in the past to be as effective in games from the start, as he is coming off the bench as an impact player.