Former York City striker Craig Farrell has warned his old team to beware of Oxford United’s rampaging full backs at Wembley.
The ex-Leeds United trainee, who was on-loan at Oxford at the end of last season, felt Damian Batt and Anthony Tonkin were the key players as Chris Wilder’s side completed a 3-1 Blue Square Premier play-off semi-final victory over Farrell’s Rushden & Diamonds on Monday.
That win set up a mouth-watering meeting with the Minstermen on May 16 to decide which team reclaims their Football League status.
And Farrell believes containing right-back Batt and Tonkin on the opposite flank could prove the key to success for Martin Foyle’s team.
He said: “Oxford obviously look at James Constable to score goals and he has done over the last two seasons.
“But they are also a big strong unit with first-class full backs in Damien Batt and Anthony Tonkin.
“They get up and down constantly and are the main reasons why we struggled.
“We played a 4-3-3 formation and their full-backs forced our wide men back, leaving myself or Jefferson Louis isolated up front.
“They are a big outlet for them.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel