O’Neill Wants Lions To Up Their Game Ahead Of York Visit

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Russ O’Neill looked a happy figure following Saturday’s late win against Curzon Ashton but the Joint Manager knows his side will need to up their game to overcome unbeaten table toppers York City in the Yorkshire derby at Nethermoor on Tuesday night in this 7:45pm kick-off. 

Segregation is in place for this one with York fans entering Nethermoor via turnstiles 5-8 and occupying the Railway End of the ground and the second seated stand.

Tickets are available to purchase at the turnstiles on the night or online for Lions fans here and York fans here.

Kaine Felix’s first goal of the season was enough to edge past a determined Curzon Ashton at Nethermoor on Saturday, with chances at a premium the winger came off the bench to strike.

The Lions go into Tuesday night’s game with York with five wins, a draw and two defeats behind them and four points behind The Minstermen.

York however have only dropped four points so far with six wins and two draws so far, they also have a 100% record away from Bootham Crescent.

Former Lions Assistant Manager Dave Penney is still their Sporting Director with ex-Gateshead boss Steve Watson now in charge.

Speaking after Saturday’s late win Russ O’Neill said “I am absolutely delighted with the three points, we didn’t reach the heights that we have done previously. Nevertheless they say the art of a good team is to win when you haven’t played so well, going into Tuesday we have a real tough game, we will have to up our game.”

Russ was happy for Kaine to get his first of the season and the impact both him and Sam Scrivens had “It was a great finish from Kaine, we hit the woodwork twice and it didn’t look like it was going to go in, the positive today was we have made changes from the bench, the subs came on and affected the game. We do know there is work to be done and we need to improve.”

Looking at the rest of the squad O’Neill added “You look at the bench and what we have outside of it, Aleks Starcenko and Tabish Hussain, it bodes well. We have George Cantrill back for selection on Tuesday, we are in a good position.”

When asked about Dylan Barkers being awarded Man of the Match the Joint Manager said “Dylan did great, he is a young man learning his trade, it was tough in there, he did really well and got up to his physical best. He fully deserved his man of the match for us.”

Looking ahead to Tuesday night O’Neill enthused “We have put a good young group together who are hungry and eager to do well, we have started well, let’s see what Tuesday brings it will be a massive test. They have the backing, the stature and everything, it looks like the manager has got it right with a lot of experienced signings. We are going into it with a lot of confidence and really looking forward to it.”

Dylan Barkers caught up with Thomas Feaheny after the win and said “It was a good performance, we weren’t 100% today but a win is a win, it is a good result. You could see they had done their homework on us, they were trying to set traps on us but we scored and got the three points that is all that matters.”

When asked about his Man of the Match the midfielder said “I am over the moon, I want to thank all the fans. Last season was a bit tough, I struggled to keep up with the pace I have been here for a while now so I am used to it.”

Dylan cannot wait for the York game on Tuesday night and is enjoying the new squad put together by the Management Team “It is a great dressing room, everyone is young and positive all the time, we are going to have to get another three points, we are looking forward to it.”

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