YORK City striker Richard Brodie is happy to carry on filling the boots of departed winger Martyn Woolford.

Brodie was posted to the left flank at late notice for the Blue Square Premier curtain-raiser at Crawley Town on Saturday after Woolford had joined Scunthorpe United 24 hours earlier.

But the 21-year-old forward responded with a man-of-the-match performance during the 1-0 win, giving City boss Colin Walker food for thought ahead of Thursday night’s home match with early table-toppers Wrexham.

Walker has indicated his intention to sign a more natural replacement for Woolford with some of the funds raised by the former Frickley Athletic player’s transfer.

The Minstermen chief also has reservations about employing Saturday’s 4-5-1 tactics at KitKat Crescent.

But, even if Walker does decide on a partner for Daniel McBreen in attack, Saturday’s goalscorer Craig Farrell could fill that role, leaving Brodie to continue on the left wing in a 4-4-2 formation.

At the very minimum, Brodie’s display at Crawley could mean Walker can bide his time in the transfer market.

About the prospect of continuing on the flank for City, Brodie said: “I wouldn’t mind doing that at all. When the gaffer asked me I had no problems playing there.

“He just told me to do what I had been doing in pre-season but from a wide left position and I’m sure, if I carry on there, I would become more comfortable game after game.

“It was hard work and felt a bit foreign to start with, but Robbo (left-back Mark Robinson) was brilliant behind me and Mark Greaves and Simon Rusk also helped. It’s a different position and not the shape we worked on in pre-season but, even though I’ve never played on the left wing for other clubs, I enjoyed it.

“Martyn going means there’s a position there for somebody now. I don’t know what’s happening with bringing somebody in, but the gaffer might pick me again on Thursday and I will give the same 100 per cent and take it game by game.”

Brodie also felt that Saturday’s result was a great way to answer any sceptics doubting the club’s credentials following the departure of last season’s Press Player of the Year Woolford.

He added: “Martyn did brilliantly for us and always had that little bit extra. He’s worked hard to get where he is and good luck to him.

“He was a big player for us and a lot of people have been saying York won’t do anything without Woolford but Saturday was a great team performance and I couldn’t pick a man of the match.

“The back-four dealt with everything thrown at them and the ’keeper gave them confidence with his performance.”

Ex-Newcastle Benfield striker Brodie also expressed his delight at making the starting line-up for the season opener.

Last season’s joint top-scorer with Woolford – Onome Sodje – had to be content with a place on the bench, while teenage hopeful Adam Boyes watched from the stands after travelling south with the team.

Brodie said: “To be on the pitch is brilliant wherever you play and it might have been an advantage being a left-sided player.

“There’s so much competition, which is great for the club but to get a start is always nice because it gives you a chance to keep yourself in. Hopefully I did enough to do that.”

Should the 6ft 2in striker face Wrexham on Thursday night in front of the Setanta cameras in the live televised game, he will also be looking to compensate for having a late goal dubiously disallowed against Crawley.

He added: “I didn’t foul their player at all.

“As I came inside he clipped the back of my heels and fell over.

“Maybe I can get one on Thursday instead. You never know.”