United host in-form York City on Saturday with a place in the FA Cup Third Round at stake.
Martin Foyle's men recorded a 1-0 home success over Gateshead on Tuesday evening, their fifth straight victory, so will arrive full of confidence. The Minstermen are further boosted by the return of 17-goal top scorer Richard Brodie who missed the midweek game due to suspension.
Foyle has assembled a squad challenging for honours this season. City sit third in the Blue Square Premier, nine points behind leaders Oxford, thanks largely to a super home record which sees them undefeated in twelve. Foyle recently celebrated his first year in charge at Kit Kat Crescent and is clearly pleased with the fruits of his labour, including guiding City to the FA Trophy Final at Wembley last season and successfully avoiding relegation.
"It has been hard and I won't hide from the fact the job was a lot bigger than I thought. But we've got fantastic bonding in and around the place and I think that could take us further."
The modest 46-year old, a formidable striker in his time with Port Vale, added: "It's surprising when you all muck in together what can be achieved. We've got both a good team spirit and a good board. The club's owners have been absolutely fantastic to us and hopefully we've rewarded them a little bit. This is down to everybody, it's not certain individuals or me or the coaching staff."
City fans are entitled to a slice of luck, with life in the Conference proving difficult following their Football League relegation in 2004. They have struggled to maintain a challenge for promotion, despite being regularly labelled as pre-season play-off candidates. The only highlights being a flirtation with the 2006/07 play-offs, where they lost to eventual winners Morecambe, along with the aforementioned FA Trophy Final in which, despite a memorable trip to the national Stadium, they were beaten by Stevenage.
The 2007/08 campaign saw them conclude in fourteenth whilst last season, in spite of Foyle's influence, they finished a disappointing seventeenth. Previous incumbent Colin Walker, who played for United in the mid-eighties, left the hot-seat last November after poor results, with Foyle subsequently taking the reins.
City sat just above the drop zone at the time so his brief was to steer them from danger, which he did, just. A final tally of six home defeats and just three away wins were accompanied by the poorest goal-scoring record outside the bottom four. Their 47 goals meant no prizes were awarded for guessing which areas of the squad needed strengthening.
The Squad
Richard Brodie's strike partner last year was Onome Sodje, who was surprisingly snapped up by Barnsley in July after a goal tally of just seven in 36 starts. A second shock move saw fellow forward Adam Boyes join Scunthorpe. The youngster made just ten appearances for City, scoring two goals, but the Iron obviously saw enough to recruit him.
Completing the striker exodus was Craig Farrell who departed for Rushden. Foyle scored 155 goals in 450 league appearances for Vale, Aldershot and Oxford so should have an eye for a striker.
Therefore, top of his shopping list over the summer was Michael Gash, who notched two goals in seven games whilst at the Abbey in 2006/07 (above). His transfer from Ebbsfleet, where he was top scorer with thirteen goals last year, was sealed just before the start of the season; City paying £55,000 for his services.
Brodie attracted criticism last season despite bagging seventeen goals. However, just three of those came in the last twelve games when City were really struggling, but his confidence is clearly boosted under Foyle's tutelage. This change in fortunes has made him a regular scorer, whilst Gash has weighed in with five of his own. The latter returned to action on Tuesday after a lengthy spell out with a broken foot.
Also joining the striking ranks were Rushden's Michael Rankine, who deputised superbly during Gash's recent absence and bagged the winner last weekend at AFC Wimbledon, ex-QPR hit man Richard Pacquette and Adam Smith, who had a loan spell at Kit Kat Crescent last season.
However, it was not just offensively that City bolstered. There was a lack of goals from midfield last season, so Simon Rusk, (46 apps, 0 goals) fell victim and was farmed out to Crawley in June, with winger Simon Russell joining Tamworth on a long-term loan.
A multitude of arrivals now fight for a place in midfield. Gash's former Ebbsfleet colleague Neil Barrett joined the club along with ex-Forest Green wide-man Alex Lawless and Kidderminster's Andy Ferrell. Lawless is struggling to be fit for the weekend, so Tyrone Berry and Darlington loanee Kevin Gall will wait in the wings.
Oxford left-winger Craig Nelthorpe also opted for the bright lights of York, but has moved temporarily to BSP rivals Barrow. Foyle clearly wants competition for places, so can also call on ex-Wrexham man Levi Mackin and Oxford's Chris Carruthers, enjoying a prolonged spell in the side after signing on loan.
The back-line was cemented with the capture of left-back James Meredith (right), who United fans may remember being on loan at the Abbey from Derby in 2006/07.
He has been a regular starter since arriving, and on Saturday will be mirrored at right-back by either Danny Parslow or Ben Purkiss, both equally reliable.
Centre-half Alan O'Hare, Club Captain at Mansfield last year, has struggled to nail a starting berth, whilst former Salisbury utility man Djoumin Sangare has slowly work his way into Foyle's plans, but is currently sidelined with injury. First choice centre-half David McGurk will be partnered on Saturday by Mansfield loanee Luke Graham, who debuted at AFC Wimbledon last Saturday. Finally, in goal against the U's will be former Wrexham stopper Michael Ingham, who has been ever-present this season.
This season
City faced a difficult trip to Oxford in the season opener, but Foyle was left disappointed with the manner in which his side threw away the points. A Richard Brodie strike looked to have won it, but the Minstermen conceded two goals in the last three minutes to leave empty-handed.
A 0-0 draw at home to Rushden put the Kit Kat Crescent faithful on edge, but their patience was swiftly rewarded thanks to a 2-0 win over Forest Green. Home turf has since become a fortress, with further victories recorded over Chester, Ebbsfleet, Histon, Crawley, Kidderminster and fellow promotion challengers Kettering.
Tuesday's encounter with Gateshead was sealed via an Alex Lawless winner, although, City were made to work hard with the northeast side dominating for long spells. Both high-flying Stevenage and Oxford returned south with a point, as did the Mighty U's who would have snatched all three had Michael Gash not headed an 89th minute leveller.
Foyle will be disappointed with City's away form which, had it been better, may have seen the Minstermen closer to leaders Oxford. Four defeats and three draws have been gleaned from their ten games, with just three wins forthcoming. Aside of the defeat at Oxford, City have returned pointless from Wrexham, Salisbury and Crawley. Foyle would have been expecting at least a point from all three games, but will have been tempered by wins over Gateshead, Tamworth and last weekend at AFC Wimbledon.
Draws were gained at Barrow and Hayes & Yeading, but City will have to improve on their travels if they are to succeed this season. They have scored just ten away goals to date; the poorest in the top half of the table.
Their FA Cup run has seen them record a 2-0 success at Bedworth Town, with a barnstorming 3-2 home win against League Two side Crewe sealing their trip to Abbey. Richard Brodie scored twice in the last four minutes to clinch victory, an effort which secured him the FA Cup Player of the Round award.
The final word must be reserved for York City fan Simon Hood, who is cycling to every game this season to raise funds for the Alzheimer's Society. To donate, or to read more about Simon Hood, please visit www.bicyclekicks.co.uk
Doug Shulman
The views expressed on this page are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Cambridge United Football Club or the webmaster.
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