York City boss plays down Luton Town rivalry (From York Press)

York City boss plays down Luton Town rivalry

11:50am Saturday 10th March 2012 in News By Dave Flett , Sports reporter

YORK City manager Gary Mills has played down what has become one of the biggest rivalries in non-League football ahead of today’s FA Trophy semi-final first leg with Luton Town at Bootham Crescent.

Ever since City’s 2010 play-off semi-final victory over the Hatters triggered ugly crowd scenes at Kenilworth Road relations between the two clubs have become strained.

An abandoned game, red cards, big wins for both teams, three player transfers between the clubs and an incident in the tunnel at Bootham Crescent have all contributed to the enmity but Mills said: “This is a new game in a different competition.

“It creates problems if you start talking about things off the field rather than on it and, within the dressing room, we are concentrating on beating a good side in Luton. It’s third versus fourth in the Blue Square Bet Premier, which makes for a great semi-final.

“I know York have been to Wembley twice in recent years but, for me, there’s no such thing as getting there too many times.”

Mills also stressed the importance of trying to take a lead to Luton for the second leg in seven days’ time but, with his team unbeaten in ten away matches compared to two defeats in their last eight at home, pointed out that he is not intimidated by the possible need to get a result in Bedfordshire either.

He said: “It’s important we try to get our noses in front today but it will only be half-time after 90 minutes.

“There will be a long way to go whatever the result and our away form has been excellent.”