Matty Blair makes a break for Player of the Year title (From York Press)

Matty Blair makes a break for Player of the Year title

10:30am Saturday 14th April 2012 in Diary

MATTY Blair has moved a point clear at the top of The Press Player of the Year standings.

Having formerly shared first place with Scott Kerr and season-long leader Jason Walker, Blair is now in pole position after picking up a point as our third-highest rated player during Monday’s 2-0 win at Alfreton.

Man-of-the-match Dan Parslow (three) and Lanre Oyebanjo (two) also received points for their performances at North Street.

Parslow also collected the two Player of the Month bonus points on offer after polling the most man-of-the-match votes for the Alfreton game from visitors to our website.

The former Wales under-21 international is a clear leader of that competition – seven points ahead of nearest challenger Ben Gibson.

During Saturday’s 1-0 home defeat to Fleetwood, man-of-the-match Chris Doig (three), Gibson (two) and Parslow (one) were recognised with points for their efforts.

’Keeper Michael Ingham won the internet poll bonus points.

To be in with a chance of presenting the April Player of the Month with his prize at a home game, vote for your man of the match.

player of the year

The Press Player of the Year standings (not including Player of the Month bonus points): Blair 29 points, Kerr 28, Walker 28, Smith 26, McLaughlin 24, Meredith 21, Ingham 19, Parslow 18, Fyfield 16, Chambers 14, Oyebanjo 14, Challinor 11, McGurk 10, Gibson 9, Moké 9, Doig 7, Reed 6, Boucaud 5, Pilkington 4, Blinkhorn 2, Henderson 1.

April Player of the Month standings: Parslow 11, Gibson 4, Doig 3, Ingham 2, Oyebanjo 2, Blair 1, McLaughlin 1.

Goals: Blair 17, Walker 16, McLaughlin 13, Reed 12, Chambers 9, Smith 4, Challinor 3, Fyfield 3, Blinkhorn 2, Meredith 2, Moké 2, Oyebanjo 2, Pilkington 2, Ashikodi 1, Boucaud 1, Henderson 1, Kerr 1, McGurk 1, own goal 1.

Assists: McLaughlin 14, Chambers 12, Blair 9, Moké 8, Reed 8, Meredith 7, Pilkington 7, Walker 6, Challinor 4, Kerr 4, Oyebanjo 4, Blinkhorn 2, Potts 2, Bopp 1, Fyfield 1, Henderson 1, McGurk 1, Parslow 1, Smith 1.

Bad boys: Smith 10 yellow cards; McGurk 8 yellow; Challinor, Meredith 7 yellow; Blair, Kerr, both 6 yellow; Walker 1 red, 4 yellow; Reed 5 yellow; Boucaud 1 red, 3 yellow; McLaughlin, Fyfield both 4 yellow; Parslow 3 yellow; Ashikodi, Moké, Oyebanjo all 2 yellow; Brown 1 red; Bopp, Chambers, Ingham, Potts all 1 yellow.

City full-backs taking flight

YORK City’s flying full-backs have been encouraged to keep getting on the scoresheet following Lanre Oyebanjo’s goal in Monday’s 2-0 victory at Alfreton Town.

That effort was Oyebanjo’s second of the season and fifth league strike of his career.

Fellow full-back James Meredith, meanwhile, has also netted twice this season after only managing his first senior goal last term.

But manager Gary Mills believes both players can hit the target again during the remainder of the Minstermen’s campaign.

Speaking ahead of today’s home match with Newport, Mills said: “We got back to something like how we can play at Alfreton and that means our full-backs pushing into the penalty box when they can.

“Lanre was a little bit hurt when he wasn’t as involved in the team as much as he’d like to be but, whether you play or not, is always down to the player and, since he has come back into the side over the last six weeks, his form has been excellent.

“He’s been playing in midfield but Jon Challinor’s illness saw him return to full-back and that’s the role I brought him to the club to play. He has given me a lift and deserves to be in the side.”