It's captain slog

The former Scarborough defender ended seven weeks on the sidelines with a fractured shoulder by completing 90 minutes in the reserves' 4-2 home victory over his old club yesterday.

Hotte admitted that he had been frustrated to only make six first-team starts for the Minstermen since being appointed club skipper after his summer switch from North Yorkshire rivals Boro.

A back problem, as well as his shoulder injury, suspension and the form of James Dudgeon, have meant Hotte has played a peripheral part in City's 2005-2006 campaign so far but he is now keen to put that right.

He said: "The season has been frustrating because it's very unusual for me to miss so many games. Hopefully, I can now come back and get on the straight and narrow.

"The gaffer made me captain at the start of the season and I want to be back out there helping the lads get back up the league."

Hotte is hoping to taste first-team action as soon as possible with the reserves now without a game until the New Year but he realises that decision will be made by manager Billy McEwan.

The 27-year-old centre-back said: "My shoulder felt all right. I wanted to test it a bit although the gaffer told me not to go into any rash tackles.

"I've only been in full training for about four days and I've only been able to do leg work and running while my shoulder has been healing which is a lot different to playing a game. I was a bit leg weary and a few of the youngsters helped me out towards the end when I got tired but I enjoyed it and didn't feel too bad.

"The only way I'm going to get fit is by playing games but it's up to the gaffer if and when he wants me back in the first-team squad."

Hotte captained the reserves against Scarborough and was, by far, the elder statesman in a youthful back four, featuring junior-team defenders Darren Hollingsworth and Nathan Kamara and first-year professional Stephen Baynes.

Recent teenage loan signings Lee Andrews and Evan Horwood have also given the first-team defence a young outlook and Hotte hopes his experience can help in that department.

He also realises the competition for centre-back places is greater than at any stage in the season with David McGurk, Andrews and Dudgeon all currently in contention.

Hotte said: "Everybody's young and still learning and the competition is good for the club but I want to be playing."

Four-star goal show fuels derby delight for reserves

YORK City's first team might be struggling to find the net but the reserves had little trouble in front of goal in yesterday's 4-2 defeat of Scarborough.

Dave Merris, Bryan Stewart, Darren Hollingsworth and Dave Pounder were all on target in the Pontin's League KitKat Crescent derby clash.

City went ahead on 33 minutes with an excellent right-footed volley from Merris who found the top corner from 15 yards.

Ashley Winn then set up Stewart for a low drive to double the home team's advantage on 54 minutes and centre-back Hollingsworth headed in a third on 73 minutes after a free-kick from Mark Convery, who was a surprise inclusion in the reserve line-up.

Lapses in concentration saw Michael Coulson and Ryan Blott reply for the Seadogs, firing past City goalkeeper Arran Reid before ex-Boro player Pounder secured a deserved victory, finding an empty net in the final minute after lively youth-team striker Alex Rhodes had struck an upright.

Rhodes had entered the action as a first-half replacement for Byron Webster, who landed heavily on his back but the damage is unlikely to be serious.

Orders are now being taken by the club for the 2006 York City calendar.

The glossy A3-sized calendar costs £10 and contains action shots of members from the current City side.

Fans can call the club on 0870 7771922 to place their order now.

The calendar is also expected to go on sale at the club shop from Monday and will be available at the FA Trophy home game with Northwich Victoria on Saturday, December 17.

Updated: 11:30 Thursday, December 08, 2005