IF ever a team needed a spark it was York City - and it surely has been provided by ember-haired striker Marc Williams.

His Sunday special - a long-distance lash that left hosts Lincoln reeling - will hopefully ignite the blue touch paper for City's run-in with relegation.

There are times even among the highest-grade players when a goal can be much than just between the posts and under the crossbar. It can be a catalyst.

Remember the own goal from Oxford's Martin Brock that set Everton on their way to unprecedented heights in the mid-1980s. Then there was the Mark Hughes volley, which not only denied humble Oldham Athletic rare glory, but elevated Manchester United to their origins of domestic dominance.

If the sheer quality, the suddenness, the out-of-the-blue nature of Williams' first goal for the Minstermen is anything to go by, then it too can act as an incendiary incentive.

The reaction from fans all this week has been one of stunned rapture. It was a similar story from City players as they emerged into the Sincil Bank Sunday sun-light blinking at their first win in almost three months. Each one revelled in Williams' wallop.

Not only did the Welshman prove there is front-line potency in the absence of Richard Cresswell, there might also be a new hero clad in that number nine shirt.

Williams is miles away from Cresswell in stature and approach, but in his first two games he has proved to be an equal in fearless, lung-bursting endeavour. If he can maintain that stunning strike-rate then safety is not such a distant destination.

FROM grind to ground. The prospect of City's Bootham Crescent arena playing host to York Rugby League Club has re-surfaced.

The Wasps, buoyant on the park, are keen on a groundshare plan as tenants to their footballing landlords.

According to Wasps' Chief Executive Jim Race, himself a City fan, any such link-up would make sporting as well as sound business sense.

With City frequently on record as being 'financially prudent' accommodation for the RL ranks is well worth considering.

It would provide regular rental income to the club, as well as increasing revenue from greater use of the under-used social club at Bootham Crescent.

It is understood from various sources close to the rugby club that any tie-in with City may also attract more potential business backing.

One drawback would be the effect on the pitch. But with the Wasps' season confined largely to the six months between February and September damage to the Bootham Crescent turf could be minimal, especially under the care of groundsman Bryan Horner.

Grounds for 'marriage', perhaps?

THE month of May will reveal York City's new look for the Millennium.

City's new home strip is to be paraded at a ceremony at Bootham Crescent on Monday, May 10, two days after the last game of the season away to Manchester City at Maine Road.

So far the design of the home kit is shrouded in predictable secrecy with only a handful of people connected with the club aware of the final look. But it is understood there will be no radical changes.

City's green away kit - launched last summer - will remain unchanged.

HARD luck story of the season has to be the ill-fortune which has befallen right-back Andy McMillan.

They elegant City defender was aiming to reach the milestone of 500 senior games for his one and only club before the end of the campaign.

But eight games short Mac's wish was whisked away by a burst cyst in the back of his knee.

He has been ordered to undergo four weeks' rest, which has all but ended his season, dashing too the appearance dream.

CITY'S feted youth programme was given another shot in the arm thanks to the shot-stopping arms of teenager Russell Howarth.

The goalkeeper was the star turn of the England Under-16 team which featured in a live Sky Television game against Turkey at Leyton Orient's Brisbane Road ground.

Yet the Riccall-based 'keeper is not yet a regular in the Intermediates' ranks, where the bulk of 'senior' duty is performed by penalty-stopper supreme John Mohan. Looks like the number one slot is in good hands for some time to come.

A DASH for City's smash and grab raid at Lincoln City had to be made by Minster FM's football commentator Tim Thornton.

Free-scoring Tim was on semi-final cup duty for Bradford Sunday League side EBU just hours before City's Sabbath set-to at Sincil Bank.

With 90 minutes about to be signalled EBU looked down and out, trailing by the odd goal. But Tim then plundered a leveller to take the tie into extra time, much to his mixture of despair and delight.

But he was to enjoy glee at the double.

The Minster sports-jock teed up EBU's eventual winner, and then, sporting a huge lump on the side of his head where he had been in collision with an opponent's boot, he made it to Lincoln to witness City's gritty win.

ANOTHER triumph was notched by City's quiz warriors.

City topped the overall team-scoring in the second leg of the ninth David Longhurst Supporters' Challenge sports and general knowledge quiz held at Scarborough.

While a host team entitled 'Oddbods' won the individual ratings with 98 points - three ahead of the York combo of 'Ian's pack of three' - the Minstermen won the night with 350 points ahead of Scarborough's 339 and Hull City's 144.

The third and final leg will be at the Three Tuns pub, Boothferry Road, Hull on Thursday, April 29 (8pm). York boast a two-leg tally of six points with Scarborough on four and Hull on two.

AN injury curse continues to dog ex-City flier Graeme Murty.

Less than six weeks after finally getting into the Reading team, whom he joined for £700,000 last summer, Murty was back on crutches after suffering ankle ligament damage.

It could be the end of his nightmare term, though he is hopeful of squeezing a game in yet for the Royals before the end of the season.

Ironically, his latest absence follows his first appearance in his natural position as a winger after starring as a right-back.

Grimaced Graeme: "It was against Luton when I got cracked. I was looking quite sharp and I'd had a brilliant opening eight minutes when...bang."

TRAVEL Club arrangements for the next two away games are Luton Town on Tuesday, April 6 - depart 3pm at £14 for TC members (£16 non-members) and to Northampton on Tuesday, April 13 - depart 3.30pm at £12 (£14).

Places are still available for a family coach to Macclesfield on April 24, leaving Bootham Crescent at 11am at £7 for Junior Reds and parents. But that does not include admission to the match.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.