Deep derby passion is to be generated from the mirror-ball clash between York City and Hull City.

The two rivals will meet in front of a near 5,000-crowd at Bootham Crescent, their fortunes totally transformed from their first encounter just a month ago.

Then the two sides shared a 1-1 draw at Boothferry Park. But the form-book has since produced contrasting mirror images.

York have embarked on a five-match undefeated run, topped and tailed by three successive wins.

Hull have not won for five games, and have lost their last three outings, including two at home, the latest being against Plymouth. They have gone more than seven hours since they last scored a goal and that was their John Eyre opener against York, although maybe they should also count the own goal defender Gareth Williams conceded to give the Minstermen a share of the spoils four weeks ago.

But while disenchantment is coursing through the Hull ranks, York boss Neil Thompson insisted tomorrow's tussle would be one of the toughest his Minstermen will face all season.

Said the York boss: "I know Hull are having a rough time, but they will raise their performance for a derby. It will be a battle, as it was at their place."

Thompson, however, was confident his men would win through provided they maintained the purpose they have shown throughout their upturn in results.

"The solidity of the team has been there for people to see. Now we have to add the finishing touches, and to be fair we showed some of that at Halifax, where we could have had a few more goals."

Midfield schemer Steve Agnew is City's only doubt. He is having further treatment to the neck muscle injury that flared again after the Halifax match.

Striker Tony Ormerod, on loan from Middlesbrough, is back in full training. He has been added to the squad, setting a teaser for Thompson after acknowledging how an unchanged side over the last two and half matches had underscored the run of three successive wins.

Contrast that with Hull's midweek fall to Plymouth, which brought a stinging rebuke from the Tigers' chairman Nick Buchanan. He said manager Warren Joyce's job was not on the line, but he insisted results had to improve.

"We have got the biggest squad and the best paid players in the division and we are under-achieving massively," said the chairman.

Joyce was looking to the derby atmosphere to provide the necessary lift for his Tigers. "It's just what we want. There will be passion and we will have to battle," said Joyce.

City's alliance side - North-east League table-toppers - open a month of Youth Alliance Cup fixtures at home to Scarborough tomorrow, ko 11am.

York pair keep places

York's brace of England Under-15 players have been retained in the national squad.

Chris Kamara and Andrew Haskins, both with Nationwide League first division club Nottingham Forest, are in the England U15 party for next Thursday's second adidas Victory Shield game against Wales at Chester City's Deva Stadium.

Millthorpe School pupil and right-back Kamara starred on his England debut in the 2-1 win over Northern Ireland at York City's Bootham Crescent ground a week ago.

Midfielder Haskins, a Canon Lee School pupil, will be aiming to make his bow against Wales.

That will be the second of three Victory Shield games, the last being against Scotland later this month.

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