Four-score haul for jackpot (From York Press)

Four-score haul for jackpot

6:28am Saturday 6th March 2010 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

YORK City manager Martin Foyle has set his side a target of 80 points to clinch a Blue Square Premier play-off place.

The Minstermen chief had initially felt 82 would be required to finish in this season’s top five but, taking into consideration the imminent removal of Chester’s record from the table, he has revised his estimate.

Eight wins from City’s last 13 games would see Foyle’s side reach 81 and that should prove amply sufficient now the season will be reduced by two fixtures.

A glance at the finishing positions since the Blue Square Premier switched to 24 teams in 2006 confirms a total of 80 points would have been enough to secure fifth place in any of the past 46-match campaigns.

In fact, during 2006-7, when the Minstermen finished fourth on 80 points, a haul of 76 would have been all that was needed to claim the final play-off spot.

Top-five targets, of course, remain hypothetical but one certainty provided by Chester’s expected expulsion is a closing together of the play-off pack.

Despite losing six points, second-placed Stevenage remain in a strong position compared to the sides immediately below them and still within striking distance of leaders Oxford.

Kettering and Wimbledon, however, will close their respective five and seven-point gaps on City by three points and Luton will also gain a point on the Bootham Crescent club to leave them just two adrift of Foyle’s men.

Of the repercussions of Chester’s demise, Foyle said: “With the points that are being deducted, it is hard to decide how many points it will take to reach the play-offs but we do know it will give Wimbledon a lifeline and put them back in the picture again.

“With 46 games, we were probably looking at 82 points, so with 44, you would have to say 80.

“Some seasons though you end up needing more and others less. Nothing’s guaranteed.”

YORK Minstermen have confirmed the third Bootham Crescent Beer Festival in City’s social club from Friday, June 25, to Sunday, June 27.

This year’s event will have a World Cup theme with bottled beers from around the world joining the usual selection of local real ales and cider and matches will also be screened live.

Tickets, costing £5, are now available from the club shop between 10.30am and 2.30pm during the week or from the adjacent Supporters’ Office on match days.

The admission price, which entitles the ticket holder to entry for all three days, includes a commemorative glass, two half-pint vouchers and a copy of the souvenir programme.

Barrel sponsors are also being sought to help cover the cost of the event and ensure every penny spent will then benefit the York City Youth Fund.

The package costs £75 and, in return, sponsors will receive four free tickets, as well as publicity on posters, in the programme and on the pumps.

Anybody interested should email ian@yorkminstermen.org.uk or phone/text 07794 091810.

Sentinel McGurk stands tall as February winner

DAVID McGurk has won his first Press Player of the Month award of the season after finishing top of the February standings.

The former Darlington defender has also stormed seven points clear at the top of the Press Player of the Year standings while nearest rival Richard Brodie has been sidelined due to suspension.

Back-to-back, Press man-of-the-match performances from McGurk during the defeats against Barrow and Eastbourne this past week have earned him a maximum six points towards the contest.

Against Eastbourne, the other points went to Levi Mackin (two) and James Meredith (one) as our second and third-highest rated players, while substitutes Richard Pacquette (two) and Neil Barrett (one) were similarly rewarded at Barrow.

Barrett also picked up the two Player of the Month bonus points on offer at Holker Street to the player who received most man-of-the-match votes from visitors to our website.

Fellow midfielder Mackin enjoyed that distinction during the 1-0 loss to Eastbourne.

To be in with a chance of presenting the next Player of the Month with his prize on the pitch at a City home game, register your man-of-the-match vote>>

The Press Player of the Year standings: McGurk 37 points, Brodie 30, Rankine 20, Mackin 18, Ingham 17, Ferrell 15, Lawless 15, Parslow 15, Barrett 13, Meredith 13, Purkiss 13, Graham 12, Sangare 12, Gash 6, Carruthers 5, Smith 4, Boyes 2, Nelthorpe 2, Pacquette 2, Mimms 1.

The Press February Player of the Month final standings: McGurk 10, Mackin 9, Graham 6, Meredith 4, Rankine 4, Lawless 3, Ingham 2, Parslow 2.

The Press March Player of the Month latest standings: Barrett 3, McGurk 3, Pacquette 2.

Goals: Brodie 27, Rankine 7, Gash 6, Pacquette 4, Barrett 3, Carruthers 2, Sangare 2, Smith 2, Ferrell 1, Lawless 1, Purkiss 1.

Assists: Lawless 9, Brodie 7, Rankine 6, Smith 5, Ferrell 4, Purkiss 4, Barrett 3, Carruthers 3, Meredith 3, Sangare 3, McGurk 2, Parslow 2, Gash 1, Graham 1, Ingham 1, Mackin 1, Nelthorpe 1.

Bad boys: Brodie 10 yellow cards, 1 red; Ferrell, Mackin both 8 yellow; Meredith 1 red, 5 yellow; Barrett 5 yellow; Ingham, Lawless, McGurk all 4 yellow; Carruthers, Ingham, Rankine, Smith all 3 yellow; Graham, Sangare both 2 yellow; Pacquette 1 red; Gash, Nelthorpe, Parslow all 1 yellow.