York City will be hoping for fair play from the fairer sex in their encounter at Exeter City on Saturday.

WOMEN IN BLACK: Referee Wendy Toms (centre) with assistants Janie Frampton (left) and Amy Rayner (right) with Nuneaton captain Terry Angus (left) and Paul Webb, captain of Kidderminster Harriers, before last night's kick-off

History-making referee Wendy Toms is set for touchline patrol at St James' Park after helping score a first in world football.

Toms, 36, took charge of last night's game between Kidderminster Harriers and Nuneaton Borough, assisted by Janie Frampton, 38, and Amy Rayner, 24

It was the world's first ever senior football match to be presided over by three women officials. Nuneaton won 2-1 in front of 3,125 fans, Toms booking four players. Former York City player Tim Clarke was in goal for Kidderminster.

Toms is the country's highest ranked woman official and has won promotion to assistant status in the Premier League.

Four years ago she became the first woman to referee a professional match when she took charge of a Conference game at Woking.

She is also a FIFA women's international referee.

Dorset-based Toms is no stranger to York City after becoming the first female to act as a match official at Bootham Crescent during the Minstermen's 2-1 defeat against Luton in November 1997.

Frampton, and Rayner, have recently been promoted to the Conference list of officials.

Nationwide Conference Chief executive and former premiership referee John Moules said last night's historic occasion is likely to be witnessed again before too long.

"It's a line-up that will be repeated time and time again as the three continue to progress in the game and provide the encouragement for more women to get involved in football."

None of the three officials would comment on their part in the match, although in the match programme Toms said: "It is an honour to be refereeing in the Nationwide Conference and great experience.

"I have spent many years learning and developing as a referee and, as with Janie and Amy, we have worked very hard to get to this stage.

Taking charge of City's match on the South Coast will be Chris Foy, from St Helens.

Foy was the man in the middle who was recently attacked by a Chester City fan at the Deva Stadium during the home side's 2-0 defeat against Rochdale.

York City's Travel Club are running a coach to Exeter on Saturday which leaves Bootham Crescent at 7.30am and return fare £18 for members, £20 for non-Travel Club members.

Tommo doubtful for Exeter

York City player-manager Neil Thompson is doubtful for Saturday's trip to second-placed Exeter City.

The City boss was substituted after just half-an-hour of Saturday's 0-0 draw with Peterborough, plagued by a nagging calf-strain.

It is the same injury that kept Thompson out of the side at the beginning of the season and is a blow to the City chief, who had only just returned to first team action at the end of August.

Thompson was forced to sit out training yesterday and the City boss admitted it was dubious he will be able to train at all this week, meaning a place in the starting line-up on Saturday is unlikely.

But Matt Hocking and Andrew Dawson were able to train yesterday.

The defensive duo both picked up injuries in the match against Peterborough, Dawson's coming towards the end of match after, ironically, replacing Hocking midway through the second-half .

Midfielder playmaker Scott Jordan may also be available for selection after a thigh injury picked up last week ruled him out of the Posh match.

"Scott is a lot better and hopefully he will be okay for the weekend," said Thompson. "We will monitor the situation but we are not going to rush people back for a game only for them to then go and miss the next couple."

Thompson, meanwhile, revealed he is still hopeful of bringing in a striker on a loan deal before the trip to the south coast.

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