August 19, 2022...Nash Calls For Bravery and Belief Ahead of Saturday Night's Local Derby Clash with Forge
(from York United FC site)

NASH CALLS FOR BRAVERY AND BELIEF AHEAD OF SATURDAY NIGHT'S LOCAL DERBY CLASH WITH FORGE  

Tim Hortons Field plays host to the third meeting between the sides this season.

It is the first trip to Tim Hortons Field this season for The Nine Stripes and Martin Nash has told 
his York United team to show bravery and belief in order to scale over league leaders Forge United 
this evening. 

Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of the latest 905 Derby Clash, Nash claimed 
"every team is beatable in this league" and reflected on how his side managed to suffocate 
Bobby Smyrniotis’ side back in May at York Lions Stadium in a 1-0 success. 

The Gaffer said: "I think the biggest thing from that game, looking back at it, was our intensity 
and we closed spaces while we didn't give them, you know, we didn't let them break lines easily 
so we were able to put pressure on the ball and that's good." 

"If you allow Forge to dictate the tempo of the game, it’s gonna be a long night. They're gonna have 
their spells of possession because they're a very good passing team, but we've got to limit their 
space and get pressure on the ball, especially in our half." 

The Nine Stripes have two victories on the road this term with three draws and four defeats.

The team has been unsuccessful in recording back-to-back wins in the CPL and The Gaffer knows what's 
at stake this time. 

New signings Mo Babouli and Matthew Baldisimo photographed in training this week along with the in-form 
Ronan Kratt and goalkeeper Eleias Himaras.

He added: "Every game is a big game for us. I think it'd be nice to get three points against the top 
team in the league and give us some more belief going forward. We know it's not gonna be easy, we got 
to be firing on all cylinders." 

"I think every team is beatable in this league and you know, we're gonna go with that mindset that 
we can beat them. We already had one this year. We have the ability to beat them." 

Goalkeeper Niko Giantsopoulos sits out the derby clash with injury and so the mantle falls 
on 20-year-old Eleias Himaras. 

Meanwhile, new signing Mo Babouli  is pushing for his first start after making his debut last week 
against Edmonton. The attacker could also help his teammates with some inside knowledge 
of his former club.

However, Nash knows what to do to conjure a special away day.

"I think we've got to be a little bit more compact than we have been. I don't think at the back 
[defence] is the problem, I think it's always with the team. So we got to be more compact," he added. 

 "They [Forge] like to get into the pockets and the spaces in between the midfield and the back four 
 so we got to limit the passes into those areas. It's easier said than done so we're working on some 
 of that this week, to try and deny them getting into those pockets and spaces because when they get 
 there, they're dangerous." 

Ridwan Ibrahim Asante

OPPONENT WATCH: 

The two-time league winners have five wins, two draws, and two defeats at their base in Hamilton. 

Forge are seeking to extend a three-match home winning streak dating to July 19 against Edmonton.  

In their last six Canadian Premier League matches, Forge have won five and lost one.  

Defender Rezart Rama is suspended for the match after accumulating yellow cards. 

Their danger man Woobens Pacius is on fire and has raked in ten goals in 18 league appearances. 

© 2022 YORK UNITED FC 

back to 2022 York United FC menu

.

.