Meredith sure York can take either pretty or ugly path to glory

The Minstermen play the first of two successive games at the home of English football today when they face Newport County in the FA Trophy final.

And Australian Meredith, who can play either left-back or in midfield, is confident that the pristine surface will provide a platform for York’s passing style.

“Wembley should be a surface that suits us,” said the 24-year-old, who played for York on their last visit to Wembley in 2010.

“The first time I played at Wembley I remember it being near perfect, but it was a bit slippery because it poured with rain that day, so we’ll see what the day brings.

“Gary Mills (York’s manager) has put together a very good team and the way he plays suits the team and the players very well, because he gets the best out of them.

“This time of year, playing in these conditions, suits us. But we can play either way, we can play ugly as well which is another string to our bow. We’ll go out there, knock it about, play hard as always and hopefully get the result. I remember playing there against Oxford (2010 play-off final); I loved the atmosphere, the occasion, everyone makes an effort to travel.

“It’s a great occasion for the city and hopefully we’ll have a really, really good two days.”

Today’s game is the start of a Wembley double-header for the Minstermen who return to the capital tomorrow week for the Blue Square Bet play-off final against Luton Town.

“An experience of having played there does help and it will help that we are going there first in the Trophy final,” said Meredith, who joined York in 2009 after impressing against them while playing for Telford in that season’s FA Trophy semi-final.

“We’ll see what the gaffer says and what tactics he goes with for the Trophy final and do our best.

“The Luton game will be completely different because the rewards are going to be different. Luton are a good team, they pass it, they knock it, they press well. It’ll be very interesting because it’s two good teams that can play in good conditions on a good pitch.

“It’s a nice position to be in to be going in as favourites (today).”