Apr 22, 2022

21-Man Squad named for Whitehaven match

Chris Clarkson will lead the Knights into battle this Sunday with his team looking for a fourth consecutive win at the LNER Community Stadium with Whitehaven the opposition and James Ford has named his preliminary squad for this weekend’s match.

Winger AJ Towse, impressive against Newcastle in scoring his first two Knights tries, looks set to continue on the left flank with fellow widemen Will Oakes and Olly Butterworth still ruled out with injuries. His impressive showing last time out will only stand him in good stead for Sunday’s challenge.

On the right, James Glover and Joe Brown will be keen to continue the partnership that has been so impressive in recent weeks.

Ford will be looking for another dominant performance from his pack, a group who have laid the platform for the Knights’ recent run of good form in the first third of this Betfred Championship season. Masi Matongo crossed for his first Knights try last weekend and is included as he looks to build on one of his best showings so far in a York shirt.

Also included is teenage trialist Ben Barnard, who has been training with the Knights in recent weeks. On his inclusion and arrival at the club, Ford said:

“Ben is a young middle who has come through at Heworth. He’s only nineteen but has played in their first team and he’s come through what is a really good club and Ben has played at a good standard in terms of competition.

“We feel that he has some potential and we’ve taken him on trial to have a really good look at him. We are trying to give him an insight into how we do things and later down the track we will know a little bit more about one another and see where we go from there.

“I’m really looking forward to working with another talented young man from the area. It highlights the fact that we are looking in York first for players to bolster the squad and help us progress to where we want to get to.”

Tickets are available now for Sunday’s match at the LNER Community Stadium, priced at £20 for adults, £15 for concessions and FREE for under-16s. Supporters can purchase tickets from the York Stadium Management Company Ticket Office HERE and tickets will also be available on the day from the booth at the back of the North Stand.

21-Man Squad In Full

1. Matty Marsh – Sancus Utilities

2. Joe Brown – Purple Chilli Events

3. James Glover – City Cruises York

4. Jacob Ogden – RS Cockerills

6. Brendan O’Hagan – Robinsons’ Cafe

8. Masi Matongo – Humber Street Distillery Co.

9. Will Jubb – Clinical Technologies

10. Jack Teanby – Bootham Tavern Knights Social Club

11. Chris Clarkson – GMB Union

12. Pauli Pauli – Marcia Inn Bishopthorpe

13. Jordan Thompson – Assetiam Business Support Services