Harry Boyes is excited to be taking on his wife's side of the family this weekend, as York City head to Rotherham United in far better spirits than they might have seven days earlier.

The Minstermen's first away game of the League Two campaign is also their closest, and they have everything to gain and nothing to lose against a team under more pressure than they are.

In 2025-26 Rotherham were two divisions above York, but they have started the campaign with back-to-back defeats as a new team beds in under new coach Alex Bruce.

York started badly too, but two goals from Boyes inspired them to a 3-2 league win over Bristol Rovers which quickly put their acrimonious League Cup preliminary round exit to Crawley Town to bed.

Now Sheffield United academy product Boyes is looking forward to a fixture with extra spice for him.

"I'm from Barnsley but Rotherham is actually where my missus lives," he explains. "All her family are Rotherham fans so I'm hoping I go there and score two – that would be nice.

"It's early doors, their first home league game, they'll be looking to get their first points on the board and we'll do everything to make sure we don't let them do that."

But York are buoyant again and given the wonderful record of teams promoted from the Conference over the last four decades, they are setting their sights high, with co-owners Julie-Anne and Matt Uggla talking about wanting to win League Two in May. he players have their eyes on maximum points in August.

BOYES OWN STUFF: Harry Boyes marked his York City debut with two goals and a win (Image: Paul Harding/Getty Images)

placeholder image — BOYES OWN STUFF: Harry Boyes marked his York City debut with two goals and a win (Image: Paul Harding/Getty Images)

"That was a massive factor in me coming here," said left wing-back Boyes, who joined from Southend United in the summer.

"The club's only going in one direction.

"I knew me coming on board and the ambitions the club's got, it's only going in one direction.

"It's a tough start, but it's three points from the first game. You want all nine from the first three. You want three points every game and that's the aim.

"And if you play like we did on Saturday every week, I'm confident we can do it."

York complete their August programme at home to Exeter City seven days later.