July 29, 2023...Preview: York United FC Expecting "Cracking Gamee" Against Halifax Wanderers FC (from York United FC website)

PREVIEW: YORK UNITED FC EXPECTING "CRACKING GAME" AGAINST HALIFAX WANDERERS FC

Wanderers visit York Lions Stadium on Sunday for the second time this season

York United FC is determined to continue its dominance over Halifax Wanderers when the two sides clash at York Lions Stadium on Sunday.

This will be the third meeting with the Wanderers of the 2023 Canadian Premier League season and The Nine Stripes are ahead with a win and a draw in their previous games.

But the Nova Scotia outfit has shown a lot of improvement since the last meeting last month, which ended in a 2-2 tie.

Patrice Gheisar’s side has gone on to beat Forge FC, Pacific FC and Atletico Ottawa at home. In between those superlative displays have been two defeats on the road.

Gaffer Martin Nash acknowledged Wanderers’ eye-catching performances of late, but insists his troops are steeled for the test.

'I think they're in a good moment to be fair, but they've been playing well most of the season and they've been a tough team to beat,” he said in his pre-game press conference.

“I think they have only lost four this year. They've drawn a lot. The way they play is tough and challenging. You’ve got to be good defensively and pick your moments to counter them. So, they're in a good moment but I think right now, we're in a decent moment with our last performances and I think it'd be a cracking game on Sunday.''

York, in fifth place, are two points and one place above Halifax Wanderers on the log sheet so they cannot afford to take their foot off the accelerator.

'I challenged the guys here this week,” Nash said. “We're three points off the top as it stands right now. Some teams have a game but it's there for us, it's there for everyone who's in the race.

If you string a couple wins together, you will be right at the top of the table. It's about how bad you want it. When you see the reaction on Sunday, we’ll prove to the rest of the league that we want it.''

York need a win to consolidate their position in fourth place. Rested players Mo Babouli and Paris Gee, both returning from suspension, should be a massive boost to the squad, although the Nine Stripes will be without midfielder Jeremy Gagnon-Laparé, who is suspended one game due to a yellow card accumulation.

Wanderers’ trio of Theo Collomb, Massimo Ferrin, and Callum Watson are on a combined ten goals. This makes them a dangerous team but Nash knows how to douse their fire.

“I think a lot of it's just by commitment and being organized offensively,’’ he said. ''If you lose your shape, they can hurt you but if you can keep your shape and cut down the spaces in between the lines and force them to go around the outside and close it off, that's your recipe to keep them from getting chances. And I think that's the key if you can stop them getting chances in order or any team getting chances it's better for you.''

OPPONENT WATCH

Halifax Wanderers are without an away win in nine matches this season, posting a 0-6-3 record on the road.

In their last six league matches, Wanderers have won three, drawn one and lost two.

Théo Collomb remains the leading scorer with four goals. Massimo Ferrin and Callum Watson are each on three goals.

Ridwan Ibrahim Asante

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