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Forest Green Rovers
National League | Gameweek 18
Nov 16, 2024 at 5.30pm UK
The New Lawn

Forest Green
2 - 0
York City

Bunker (64'), McAllister (83')
McCann (20'), Long (53'), Bunker (69')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Aguiar (82')

Preview: Forest Green Rovers vs. York City - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's National League clash between Forest Green Rovers and York City, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

The top two in the National League square off this weekend, when Forest Green Rovers host league leaders York City at The Bolt New Lawn.

With just one point separating the two sides at the summit, both clubs will see this fixture as the perfect opportunity to gain an early advantage in the title race.


Match preview

Forest Green Rovers forward Christian Doidge celebrates after scoring on August 10, 2024© Imago

Forest Green remain undefeated at home in the National League following their relegation from League Two last season.

Rovers have rarely faltered since returning to non-league football, but recent dropped points in a 1-1 draw with Woking were followed by an FA Cup exit to League One side Stockport County.

However, any fears of Forest Green losing form were brushed aside when they returned to winning ways against Maidenhead United last weekend.

Harvey Bunker, Charlie McCann, Jordan Moore-Taylor and Teddy Jenks were all on the scoresheet in a comprehensive 4-1 win at York Road.

York have an undefeated record to protect of their own, having not lost on the road in the league all season - the visitors have the best away record in the division, with four wins and four draws from their eight games.

The Minstermen survived relegation from the National League by the skin of their teeth last season, finishing just one point above the drop zone.

This season has been near faultless for the visitors though, with their only league defeat coming back in August against Boston United.

The arrival of manager Adam Hinshelwood from Worthing in February has helped turn the club's fortunes around, to the extent that they are now dreaming of a return to the Football League.

With a former defender in charge of the club, the defensive improvement at York is a major reason behind their success. The visitors have the meanest defence in the league this season, with nine clean sheets and just 12 goals conceded.

Right behind them in the standings are their hosts, who have shipped 14 goals and kept six clean sheets to date.

Like Forest Green, York were knocked out of the FA Cup by league opposition recently, when the Minstermen fell to a 3-2 defeat to Wycombe Wanderers.

Last time out, they bounced back from the cup defeat with a thrilling 5-3 win over Hartlepool United, when both sides scored twice in the final 10 minutes of the game, with top scorer Ollie Pearce bagging a brace in the match.

As well as having strength in defence, the two sides have potent attacks and they have both scored 33 goals so far in the league this season - only Barnet have a better record in front of goal, netting 34 times.

Forest Green Rovers National League form:


Forest Green Rovers form (all competitions):


York City National League form:


York City form (all competitions):



Team News

York City manager Adam Hinshelwood pictured on August 12, 2023© Imago

The hosts will be without defender Ryan Inniss, who was sent off in the draw at Woking last month. Manager Steve Cotterill is also serving a touchline ban following the match in Surrey.

Emmanuel Osadebe and Liam Sercombe are both doubts for Forest Green following recent injuries.

York defender Malachi Fagan-Walcott is expected to play after a concussion scare last weekend against Hartlepool.

The visitors will, however, be without Darragh O'Connor, who has been out of action since September with a groin strain.

O'Connor, Lenell John-Lewis, Zanda Siziba, Levi Andoh and Alex Hernandez are all expected to return to full training soon after being sidelined.

Callum Harriott remains away from the club due to personal reasons and George Sykes-Kenworthy remains a long-term absentee with an ankle injury.

New signing Jeff King could make his York debut, having arrived on a free transfer earlier in the week. Recent loan arrival David Ajiboye was a debutant in the win over Hartlepool and is expected to start.


Forest Green Rovers possible starting lineup:
Ward; Robson, Moore-Taylor, Tozer, Long; McCann, May, Bunker; Knowles, Quigley, McAllister

York City possible starting lineup:
Male; Felix, Fagan-Walcott, Howe, John; Hunt, Batty, Aguiar; Ajiboye, Sinclair, Pearce


SM words green background

We say: Forest Green Rovers 2-2 York City

These two teams are ahead in the title race for good reason.

Although both sides are strong in defence, their ability to score goals should make this an entertaining game, and we think it will be a 2-2 draw here, with little to separate the sides.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.




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Written by
Tom Humphrey

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Game History

How you voted: Forest Green vs York City

Forest Green Rovers
40.5%
Draw
43.2%
York City
16.2%
37
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rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1York City21135343192444
2Barnet21142542241844
3Forest Green RoversForest Green20126238172142
4Gateshead21115537271038
5Oldham AthleticOldham19107233171637
6Rochdale19103628181033
7Sutton UnitedSutton209472926331
8Yeovil TownYeovil219482422231
9AltrinchamAltrincham208663225730
10Halifax TownHalifax208662119230
11Hartlepool UnitedHartlepool217862424029
12Solihull MoorsSolihull208483533228
13Eastleigh207762726128
14Southend UnitedSouthend216872424026
15Dagenham & RedbridgeDag & Red206773426825
16Tamworth197482233-1125
17Aldershot TownAldershot205782733-622
18Woking2156101928-921
19Braintree TownBraintree2155111828-1020
20WealdstoneWealdstone194781926-719
21Maidenhead UnitedMaidenhead2154122643-1719
22Fylde2053122341-1818
23Boston UnitedBoston2136121936-1715
24Ebbsfleet2016131544-299


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