York's relegation surprises Morecambe boss Bentley

Morecambe boss Jim Bentley says he is surprised at York's relegation ahead of the final-day meeting between the sides on Saturday.
Jim Bentley.Jim Bentley.
Jim Bentley.

The Minstermen beat The Shrimps 2-1 at Bootham Crescent back in December but head to the Globe Arena bidding not to finish bottom of the Football League.

Jackie McNamara’s side sit one point behind Dagenham at the foot of League 2 with just won win from their last 15 games.

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He said: “York are down but looking at clips of them over the last few weeks, they’ve got good players.

“It’s quite surprising they’ve got some good loan players and a good blend.

“(Former Shrimp, Lewis) Alessandra and (Scot) Bennett have come in and there’s good experience in (Luke) Summerfield, (Russell) Penn and (Dave) Winfield.

“They’ve got a young lad in from Middlesbrough (Bradley) Fewster who’s scoring a few and (Danny) Galbraith has done well.

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“You look at them and can’t believe it’s a side that’s got relegated.

“I’ve said all season though that League 2’s very tough this year. 
“There’s good players at every club and everyone’s capable of beating everyone else.

“We’ll give them the respect they deserve but we’re at home, they’re going down and we’re staying up.

“We’ve got a couple of injury problems but whatever team goes out will be ready to go and hopefully we can finish the season on a positive note.”

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Having showed signs of improvement in the 1-1 draw at Exeter last time out, Bentley is determined his side will finish on a high note having won just two of 20 during a nightmare 2016.

He said: “They don’t want to finish bottom and will be battling it out with Dagenham to see who finishes there.

“They are a decent side and it wasn’t so long ago that they beat Portsmouth.

“They are still battling and will be trying to finish on a winning note and head into their summer on a positive.

“But it’s just as important for us as it is for them.

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“After the season and run we’ve been on it would be nice to get a win.”

Bentley has plenty of injury concerns ahead of the weekend.

Luke Conlan’s loan spell from Burnley has ended but the left back would have been missing anyway after picking up a nasty leg gash at Exeter.

Shaun Beeley is out with a thigh injury while Andy Parrish, broken nose, and Tom Barkhuizen, heel, are both doubts.

Ryan Edwards missed the Exeter draw with tonsillitis while Adam Dugdale continues to battle through his foot injury.