IF ever an FA Cup tie looked ripe for some giant-killing, it has to be Curzon Ashton’s fourth qualifying round clash at York City on Saturday.
The National League club are hovering just above the relegation zone, have not won any of their last seven league matches, and are without a manager after the sacking of Jackie McNamara earlier this week.
Nash boss John Flanagan acknowledges that if his side had to draw a club from a higher-level, York was the one to get. He also acknowledges that despite City’s problems, they are still the favourites to win.
“At the very least they’re going to be in better condition than us, so we’re going to have to rely on our team spirit and the fact we’re the underdogs and have nothing to lose,” said the Curzon manager.
“If we’re going to beat York we’ll have to play at our very best. We’ll have to give it everything we’ve got, and I know I have the lads to do that.”
The Nash go into the tie — where there is £12,500 in prize money at stake — buoyed by Saturday’s 1-0 win at Nuneaton. Flanagan has virtually a full-strength squad to call on, the only absentees being Andy Watson, Danny Shaw and Simon Woodford who have long-term injuries.
York, in contrast, are in turmoil. Jackie McNamara was sacked after Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Braintree — having said he would quit of his own volition if the team failed to win — but was then asked to carry on until a replacement was found.
Among those being linked with the job are Hyde United striker Andy Bishop, who is reported to have contacted the Bootham Crescent board, and former Leeds United boss and Oldham Athletic midfielder Neil Redfearn.
Flanagan commented: “The York players might be thinking that they don’t need to impress Jackie because he has no future at the club. They might be considering how they can impress the new manager whenever he arrives.
“That could mean they don’t prepare properly. They might be looking beyond the FA Cup and the chances are they won’t be overly motivated to prove themselves to Jackie McNamara.
“We couldn’t ask for a better situation in terms of what’s going on off the pitch at York City. With all that’s happening they may take us lightly and we have to keep our fingers crossed that happens. It doesn’t take many players to cause a wobble in the dressing room and that easily have a bad effect on morale.
“But none of that means we’ll win. They’re York City, a club that spent years in the Football League, so they’re not going to have rubbish players. Their boss has managed at the highest level in Scotland with Dundee United and was a top player who won 33 Scotland caps.
“The reality is that the York squad won’t be a bad bunch. They’ll be a decent team, very fit and dangerous at set-pieces. If we’re going to win we’ll have to be at our very best while they only have to turn up. It’s really more about how we do than how they do.”
Despite the lowly league position, York’s squad has quality in depth. It includes former Ashton United and Stalybridge Celtic defender Jack Higgins, vastly experienced defender Matt Fry, and former Manchester United reserves midfielder Danny Galbraith.
If Curzon can hold York at Bootham Crescent, the odds could be in their favour at the Tameside Stadium. The Minstermen have not won away from home, across all competitions, in 30 games. They were minutes away from breaking that duck at Braintree on Saturday but conceded a late goal, and after keeper Kyle Letheren had saved a penalty.
Flanagan said: “We’re all really looking forward to the match. In terms of National League clubs they don’t come bigger than York City.
“Hopefully we can go through and get a top club in the first round proper. If we take York to a replay, we’ll be in the draw on Monday and, if we got a Football League club, that would work as a great motivating factor.
“If we get beaten, we’ll carry on with the league. Whatever happens it’s going to be a great experience for us.”