YORK CITY VS WEALDSTONE | MATCH PREVIEW
- Aryan Jolly
- Oct 15
- 4 min read
Following a comprehensive victory over Whitstable Town in the FA Cup, the Stones return to league action this weekend as they face a York City side managed by former Stones manager Stuart Maynard.
The Basics
Date: Saturday, October 18
Venue: LNER Community Stadium, York, YO32 9AF
Competition: The Enterprise National League
Kick Off Time: 3:00 pm
Broadcast Information: The game will be available to watch live via DAZN (non-UK residents only)
News From The Vale
Sam Cox described his side’s performance against the Oysters as ‘professional’, particularly emphasising the quality they showed in the first half. You can find his full post-match interview here.
The draw for the First Round of the FA Cup was made earlier this week, and the Stones will be welcoming Southend United to the Vale for the second time this season. When the two sides met earlier in the campaign, it was Wealdstone who came out on top in a very dramatic contest.
It was not only the Wealdstone men’s side who played an important cup game recently, but also the Wealdstone women’s team.
They took on Balham FC in the Sue Sharples Cup, and a brace from Gabi Racut, who has been in sensational form this season, secured victory for Saj Vigneswaran’s side.
Our man in form - Micah Obiero: Following two well-taken goals against Whitstable Town, Micah Obiero is the Stones’ man in form.
After being in and out of the team in the opening weeks of the season, the 24-year-old has established himself as a regular starter over the last few weeks.
Obiero is in good goalscoring form, having found the back of the net three times in his last three games. He also looks to be full of confidence at the moment, as exemplified by his two flicked finishes in the FA Cup.
However, it is not just in front of goal where the Stones’ number 14 has excelled. He has also shown an excellent work rate and tenacity when leading the line, which has helped the team defensively.
Keep up the good work, Micah!
The Opposition
Recent form: WDLWW
League Position: 7th
York City came agonisingly close to promotion last season, accumulating 96 points and finishing in second place before losing to Oldham Athletic in the playoffs.
Adam Hinshelwood, who steered the club away from relegation in the 2023/24 campaign before guiding them to the playoffs last season, was dismissed just four games into the season.
He was replaced in the dugout by a familiar face, Stuart Maynard, who likely will have been tasked with making sure the Minstermen go one better than last campaign.
Their last game saw them secure a big two-one victory away from home against league leaders Rochdale, albeit in the FA Cup.
The manager - Stuart Maynard: Maynard needs no introduction to Wealdstone fans, as he led the club through their most successful campaigns in the fifth tier to date.
After 139 matches in charge at the Vale, Maynard left the club to join Notts County in January 2024. He guided the Magpies to a sixth-placed finish last season, before parting company with the club following defeat in the playoffs.
His early results at the LNER Community Stadium have been somewhat mixed. York thumped fellow title-challengers Carlisle United five-nil, but suffered defeats against Solihull Moors and Scunthorpe United.
The danger man - Ollie Pearce: When picking a danger man from York City’s squad, it is impossible to look past Ollie Pearce, despite the other high-quality attackers that the Minstermen have at their disposal.
Pearce has been simply sensational for over three campaigns. He contributed more than one goal or assist per game during his two years in the National League South with Worthing, before linking back up with Hinshelwood at York last campaign.
In his first season in the fifth tier, the frontman dominated the National League scoring charts. He ended the campaign with a staggering 31 goals, eight more than the next highest scorer.
The 30-year-old also offers a creative threat due to his technical ability and well-timed runs, reaching double figures for assists in each of the last three seasons.
Following what may be considered a slightly slow start to the season by his standards, Pearce has sprung into life in recent weeks, scoring four times in his last five games. His total goal tally for the season stands at eight.
Buy Your Tickets Now!
The Stones are unbeaten in their last five games in all competitions, so it is a great time to travel up to York and help the team continue their positive momentum!
You can secure your tickets via the link below!
Please note that there is an 80p booking fee per ticket, as well as a £2 price increase if tickets are purchased on matchday.
