The Fleet are another week away from a home return and before that have two road trips, with Saturday’s visit to National League contenders York City up first. York, who slipped a place below the Fleet on the last day of last season but survived by a point, have been transformed in 2024/25.
Form guide
York sit third in the table with seven wins from their opening 13 fixtures and just one defeat, coming at home to promoted Boston United. They are unbeaten since that August Bank Holiday meeting but have drawn three – against Aldershot, Eastleigh and Woking – in their last five outings.
The Minstermen have also conceded the fewest number of goals during this campaign and are the only clubs whose goals against column is still in single figures, with just seven let in.
Previous affairs
The Fleet picked up four points against Saturday’s opponents last season, starting with a strong win at the Kuflink Stadium where Omari Sterling-James, Franklin Domi, Craig Tanner and Dominic Poleon were on the scoresheet in a 4-1 victory. The reverse fixture in December ended with one of the highlights of the season when Mark Cousins securing an added time equaliser, the first Fleet goalkeeper in 77 years to score.
Who’s who
Harrison Male is a 24-year-old keeper who knows a thing or two about the Fleet, having played against us last season for Dorking Wanderers and the season before for Worthing. The England C player broke through the Leeds United academy before making a move to Gateshead and then Worthing where he played under current York boss Adam Hinshelwood, which helped seal his move from relegated Dorking in the summer.
Joe Felix is another summer signing who knows the manager from Worthing. The former Dulwich, Torquay, Billericay and Maidstone full-back has featured in every match this season and impressed since his arrival.
Former Hull midfielder Dan Batty arrived at the LNER Community Stadium in 2023 following his departure from Fleetwood Town. Since his debut last season, Batty has made 35 appearances for the Minstermen.
Ollie Pearce was a prolific goalscorer in the National League South for Worthing, moved to York with Felix this summer. He has three league goals and two in the FA Cup so far this season to add to the 68 he enjoyed in his Worthing career.
The manager
Adam Hinshelwood succeeded Neil Ardley after a six-year spell with Worthing where he took them into the National League South and the play-offs. The former Brighton centre-back won 185 out of the 367 games he managed.
Tickets
See the away travel information here for details about your away day to the LNER Community Stadium.
