York City Look To End Away Win Wait At Rochdale 2026

Key Points

• York City are heading for a Sky Bet League Two match against Rochdale at the Crown Oil Arena, on Saturday, 14 November 2026.
• The Minstermen are looking to secure their first away win in the 2026/27 League Two season.
• York have notched up three draws and four defeats in seven away league matches this season.
• Rochdale are in a five-game winless streak in the League Two this season.
• York City are placed seventh in the League Two table, while Rochdale is placed 13th, only five points separating the two after 14 matches.
• The match will remind fans of the last day of last season’s National League, where Josh Stones scored in the 103rd minute, ensuring York’s automatic promotion to the next tier of English football.
• Rochdale won the National League play-offs and got promoted to the EFL league.
• Scott Lindsey, the head coach of York City, stated that “without a shadow of a doubt”, the team will be drawing upon their positive memories of the stadium.
• Ollie Banks, captain of York, said that the team has performed well away from home and deserves a win.
• Ian Watson’s Rochdale has won four, drawn three and lost seven league matches out of 14.

Rochdale (Manchester Mirror) November 13, 2026 – York City will return to the Crown Oil Arena on Saturday seeking their first away win of the 2026/27 Sky Bet League Two season, in a fixture that carries immediate significance for both clubs after their promotion from the National League last season.

York City travel to Rochdale tomorrow for the league fixture, with kick-off scheduled for 3pm. The club are looking to record their first away victory of the current campaign.

The match brings York back to a ground associated with one of the most dramatic conclusions in the club’s recent history. Last April, York needed a point at Rochdale to secure the National League title and automatic promotion to the Football League.

Mani Dieseruvwe put Rochdale ahead in the 95th minute, but Josh Stones equalised in the 103rd minute to secure a 1-1 draw and send York back into the EFL. Rochdale went on to win the play-offs and joined York in League Two.

Can York end their away-day wait at Crown Oil Arena?

York’s away record has been a major issue since promotion. City have taken three draws and four defeats from seven away league matches, with only Bristol Rovers and Port Vale recording worse away records.

Ollie Banks, who was part of York’s title-winning squad, said the squad did not regard away fixtures as a concern. “I think in a lot of the games away from home, we’ve probably deserved a win,” he said.

“There’s been a couple where we haven’t been at it, but we definitely should have had at least two or three wins away from home,” Banks added. “It’s now getting to that point where we need to go and get it now.”

Banks said home advantage remained meaningful because players were familiar with their own pitch and support, but argued that York’s away performances had often been strong enough to win.

What memories will York draw upon at Rochdale?

The return to Spotland is expected to evoke strong memories among York supporters and players. The two clubs accumulated 212 points between them heading into the final-day encounter last season, with the title and automatic promotion at stake.

After York missed a chance through Stones, Ian Henderson’s cross was headed in by Emmanuel Dieseruvwe in the 95th minute. Rochdale supporters invaded the pitch in celebration, believing their club had secured promotion.

York regained possession and continued to play. More than six minutes after Rochdale’s goal, Stones scored from a chaotic sequence in the penalty area, securing the point that confirmed York’s automatic promotion.

BBC Radio Manchester commentator Alex Whitington described Stones’ equaliser as “pandemonium”, saying it was not immediately clear whether the ball had crossed the line.

BBC Radio York’s Dave Ward said supporters would welcome the return. “The supporters can’t wait to get back – they will love the banter,” Ward said.

“The rivalry between the fans will be brilliant and all those memories will come flooding back.”

How have both clubs changed since promotion?

Both clubs have changed managers since their promotion campaigns. York replaced Stuart Maynard with former Crawley manager Scott Lindsey in July, while Rochdale appointed former South Shields manager Ian Watson after Jimmy McNulty moved to Stockport County.

Lindsey said the atmosphere at the Crown Oil Arena could benefit his players. “It’s crucial for the players to feel that atmosphere when they return to the stadium,” he told BBC Radio York. “They will have positive memories, so we will definitely draw upon that.”

“I may bring up the last time they were there,” Lindsey added. “What happened then can only be beneficial.”

Banks, however, said he would not allow last season’s events to distract from the current fixture. “Personally, I won’t be going back there thinking about that,” he said. “It’s a different team we’re facing in a different league, and it’s a whole different prospect in front of us.”

Where do the sides stand in League Two?

York enter the match seventh in League Two, having won five, drawn five and lost four of their 14 league fixtures. Rochdale sit 13 places below them, with four wins, three draws and seven defeats from the same number of matches.

Despite the difference in league position, only five points separate the clubs. Rochdale are on a five-match winless run, while York have suffered defeats in their last two league matches.

Rochdale’s board publicly expressed confidence in Watson in early September, allowing him time to improve results. The club then recorded victories over Oldham Athletic and Salford City in their following three matches, but have since struggled for consistency.

Last season’s prolific Rochdale scorer, Dieseruvwe, has yet to score in the league this term. Meanwhile, 41-year-old Ian Henderson has scored twice in his last three league appearances, despite not starting a match.

Which York players could influence the match?

Ollie Pearce has continued to score regularly since stepping up to the EFL. Pearce has scored eight goals in all competitions this season, including after just 10 seconds in York’s 4-0 FA Cup victory over Northampton Town last Saturday.

Alex Newby has contributed six league goals, while Stones has also scored despite dealing with injuries this season.

Banks has started all but one of York’s League Two fixtures, missing one match because of concussion. He has often played in a deeper role this season, although he has recently been used in a more advanced position.

Banks also praised team-mate Arthur Read, who joined York from Colchester United after being named in last season’s League Two Team of the Season. “He’s come in and has got his first couple of starts for the team, he’s had to be patient,” Banks said.

What is at stake for Rochdale?

Rochdale are seeking to stabilise their return to the EFL after three years outside the Football League. Finishing 22nd or higher would represent a successful return to the EFL for the club by the end of the season on 8 May.

The club’s home fixture against York is part of a demanding period, with Rochdale having lost their last two League Two matches, including a 4-2 defeat away at Port Vale.

Rochdale AFC confirmed on its official website that York City would be the next visitors to the Crown Oil Arena on Saturday, 14 November, in Sky Bet League Two action.

Background of the development

The fixture is the first league meeting between Rochdale and York City since their decisive National League encounter on 25 April 2026. York secured the point required for automatic promotion through Stones’ stoppage-time equaliser, while Rochdale later earned promotion through the play-offs.

Both clubs have since adapted to life in League Two. York appointed Scott Lindsey after Stuart Maynard’s departure, while Rochdale turned to Ian Watson following Jimmy McNulty’s move to Stockport County.

The match also carries sporting importance beyond the historical connection. York are attempting to convert strong home form into an away result, while Rochdale are attempting to arrest a winless run and move closer to the clubs immediately above them.

Prediction: How the result could affect York City supporters

A first away win would provide York City supporters with reassurance that the club can translate its home form into results on the road. It would also ease pressure around a squad that has suffered consecutive league defeats and would strengthen York’s position in the League Two play-off places.

For Rochdale supporters, a home victory would end a five-match winless sequence and could lift confidence around Ian Watson’s squad during a difficult return to the EFL. A defeat, by contrast, would extend that run and increase the importance of upcoming fixtures for a side already 13 places behind York.

For neutral followers of League Two, the match offers a test of whether last season’s dramatic promotion race will develop into a sustained rivalry at EFL level. Both clubs have experienced major managerial and squad changes, making Saturday’s result a further measure of how each has adjusted to the higher division.