York City begin an era without former boss John Askey when they host mid-table Wealdstone in the National League on Saturday afternoon.
The York hierarchy announced the shock decision to relieve Askey of his duties on Wednesday morning with the club in 12th place in the fifth tier on their return to this level.
Match preview
Last season saw an end to York City's five-year tussle with regional football as they beat Boston United in the National League North playoff final to secure promotion to the highest level of non-league football in England.
In Askey York had found their saviour from the pains of sixth-tier football, and this season the 58-year-old was guiding the club to safety in their maiden season back in the National League before disagreements between himself and newly-elected chairman Glen Henderson over the last month made his position as manager untenable.
The decision to dispose of Askey has caused outrage within the fanbase and amongst first-team players alike, and even though supporters realise a run of five games without a league win has not been ideal, there was an appreciation of how well the Minstermen had fared so far after a long spell away from the fifth tier.
York currently sit closer to the playoff places than the relegation zone, but you get the feeling the new head coach will have to work hard to keep their survival bid on track after unsettling revelations this week that will likely lead to protests from the home supporters on Saturday afternoon.
Wealdstone have improved dramatically from their performances in October, where they lost all six games they played and conceded 21 goals in the process, a run which left them slipping towards the relegation zone and dumped out of the FA Cup in the final qualification stage.
November has presented an opportunity for a new start, which so far The Stones have taken gladly, securing four points from two outings this month and keeping a clean sheet in both of those fixtures.
Wealdstone have collected three more points away from home than at Grosvenor Vale so far this campaign, with only Notts County, Boreham Wood and Woking achieving more away victories to date in the fifth tier.
Following on from two lower mid-table finishes in the National League since their arrival back at this level in 2020, the aim now will be to see how far Stuart Maynard can take a club that has never seen league football in its history.
Team News
York City's injury woes have eased off in the past few weeks but they will still be without Nathan Thomas after the attacker picked up a knock in the home defeat to Southend at the end of October.
Lenell John-Lewis is expected to lead the line again for the home side after starting consecutive games since returning to the matchday squad after a calf injury, the same issue defender Maxim Kouogun recovered from to start against Altrincham last weekend.
Midfielder Malachi Napa is yet to play for Wealdstone since he sustained an ankle injury against Southend in September and will not be available again this weekend.
Maynard's men have struggled defensively since Deji Elerewe was recalled by parent club Charlton Athletic to cover their respective injuries, but the return of Ashley Charles into the starting XI helped The Stones massively in their draw with high-flying Wrexham last time out.
York City possible starting lineup:
Ross; Duckworth, Kouogun, Sanders, Whittle; Pybus, Mafuta, Dyson, Kouhyar, John-Lewis, Hurst
Wealdstone possible starting lineup:
Howes; Cook, Barker, Freckleton, Kinsella; Charles, Dyer, Obiero, McGregor; Olomola, Allarakhia
We say: York City 0-1 Wealdstone
The atmosphere is set to be frosty in York after the unpopular dismissal of Askey on Wednesday, and Wealdstone could take advantage of such unrest.
The Stones had been letting in goals at an alarming rate before two clean sheets most recently, and we are backing them to make it three shutouts in a row against the Minstermen this weekend.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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