Blair switch projects dilemma for York’s Mills

The Minstermen striker etched his name into club folklore by firing famous winners at Wembley not once, but twice, to help the City to a famous FA Trophy and Blue Square Conference promotion double back in the spring.

And the former Kidderminster ace, making his first start of the season, saw his name in lights again on Tuesday night, netting the winner in a 1-0 Johnstone’s Paint Trophy first-round derby success at Rotherham United – becoming the first visiting player to score in a competitive match at the New York Stadium in the process.

It’s certainly handed Mills food for thought, especially if the man Blair stepped in for – Ashley Chambers – is fit for the Spireites game after missing out in midweek due to a calf injury.

Mills said: “Whenever an opportunity comes around, you have to take it. Matty’s a great lad and not been a problem since he’s been out of the side and he’s just waited for his time. He’s also always capable of doing what he did on Tuesday night, which is getting us a goal.

“He’s not got into the side because Ashley Chambers and Michael Coulson had been superb so far season, with Ashley scoring three goals and Michael two,” he said.

“It’s not only been their goals – their overall displays have both been superb. But I’ve got a big decision to make on Saturday if Ashley is fit as to what my team is going to be.”

After a vintage week, Mills wants the gloss to be provided by a third win in league and cup in seven days at the weekend, with City also seeking their third consecutive Football League victory for the first time since August 2003.

Mills added: “The players have done well. I said before Saturday’s game that we would have a big testing week to see how far we have come, starting against a good Oxford side sitting at the top of the league having not lost a league game.

“After that, it was onto Rotherham, who are possibly the favourites to win the league this season and who had 3-0 and 4-0 in their opening two home games at their new ground – and then onto Chesterfield and hopefully another win.

“Certainly in the first two games, we’ve proved that we’ve got a squad of players who are capable of winning games and dealing with teams that are thrown at us in this division.

“We’ve a squad of players who are on a high at the moment,” he added.