TUESDAY .......

ENGLAND BLUE SQUARE PREMIER

BARROW-YORK CITY

STEVENAGE BOROUGH -EASTBOURNE

I gave York something of a glowing report on Saturday (reproduced below) and two early goals saw them ease to victory and also put in another impressive all round display, they really are a team at the top of their game at present.

At the same time, Barrow were suffering a frightful 6-1 hammering at home to Rushden. The home side were big drifters in Asia through the course of the day and given that there was no "real" reason, that is a little alarming, especially given the manner of the defeat. That is my only reservation, I do not normally like to oppose teams after a big defeat, especially on home soil, but I cannot let City go unbacked, so have just reduced stakes a little. Hosts will probably struggle this year, maybe just doing enough to stay in the BSP. These midweek games do their players few favours either, as Barrow is so remote, that training is usually held 100+ miles away and even two home games in three days, with possibly a training session in between, will involve an awful lot of road miles. Away win.

Stevenage are another side running into form and they will not be far off the top of the table, come the end of the season. They have only lost once this season, at league leaders Oxford and were quite impressive that day and maybe deserved a point. However, it is on home soil, at their Broadhall way home, where they will pick up most of their points. Borough have not lost there since November 2008, during which time they have a 15-5-0 record, winning 75%. Last season they started very slowly and it was not until approaching Christmas that they hit their stride, since when they have lost just 3 of all 32 league starts. They travel to high flying Mansfield next, so are eager to get the three points tonight and also a little revenge, as Eastbourne did the double over them last season.

The visitors improved their squad in the summer and look booked for a mid table finish, free from too many relegation concerns, but they should not be winning games like this, as I rate the home side clearly superior. Odds are not fantastic, but acceptable, if you are following the game on the internet, late goals might well be on the cards and this is something you could profit from if your bookmaker is offering "live" odds. Eastbourne have conceded nine goals this season, seven have come in the second half and three in the last five minutes, hosts have themselves scored twice after the 86th minute in two of their last four starts. So take a look at Stevenage, or the "over" at around the 80 minute mark.

6 points York -1/2 ball 2.0 + a little 2.10 around.

6 points Stevenage -3/4 ball 1.80 asian line ...... although take a look at the "in running" market late in the game.

Good Luck.

YORK CITY - CRAWLEY TOWN

I have heard fantastic reports about York City this season, they have lost twice, but those defeats came against division bigwigs Wrexham and Oxford and even opposing fans admitted that the Minstermen deserved something from both games. Team spirit is said to be sky high after consecutive wins and the mood in training is positive in the extreme. The City board have shown great ambition in allowing boss Martin Foyle to sign three strikers, including £55k on Michael Gash, who was being watched by a number of league clubs, this is big money for a BSP side and the quality is begining to shine through.

The report of the win over Histon made excellent reading: "In truth, City deserved much more than a 3-1 score line, they bossed the game from start to finish and, most impressively, won by playing stylish passing football against one of the league’s most direct and combative sides." York have had a full weeks rest since then, which included two days off to recharge their batteries.

No such luxury for Crawley who were never at the races in a 3-0 loss at Luton on Tuesday. They created little and could easily have lost by a far greater margin, there are nursing several knocks and are set to struggle against a well rested home side, almost at full strength and in very confident mood. I make City a strong bet.