Cresswell confident York will hit target

Nigel Worthington’s York began promisingly with a 1-0 win over Northampton Town on the opening weekend but since then have regressed with two defeats and a draw.

What is most worrying is their failure to find the net since Ryan Jarvis’s late winner against the Cobblers. Despite losing heavily to Burnley in the League Cup, and then at Dagenham and Redbridge on the resumption of League Two action, the goalless draw with Hartlepool United last Saturday was arguably their worst performance to date.

Playing in front of an expectant home crowd, the Minstermen failed to register a shot on goal, with their three off-target efforts coming from outside the area.

It is all a far cry from the promise York built over the closing six games of last season, when they rode to survival on the back of five wins and a draw.

At this early stage, though, Worthington is not unduly worried.

“I’m not concerned about the lack of goals at the moment because we’ve got players who can score goals and players who can create them,” said the former Norwich City and Northern Ireland chief.

“I thought the performance on Saturday (versus Hartlepool) was a strong one and we battled well.”

Striker Richard Cresswell, who was signed in the summer more for his link-up play and experience, as much as his goals, believes the problem stems from the amount of players York are committing to goalscoring positions.

The former Leeds and Sheffield United forward said: “At the moment, I think other teams’ defenders have got it too comfortable because, sometimes, there’s only one person in the box.

“But we’ve been working on that all week at the training ground so, if we take that into games, the chances will start coming.”

Fancied Bristol Rovers have not recorded a win so far this term, but Worthington is not fooled by their record.

He said: “I know John Ward (manager) very well and he’s a well-respected man.

“Make no mistake, whatever has happened to them this season is not down to the level of work or organisation.”