Winner takes it all as Rochdale meet York in huge title decider

Winner takes it all as Rochdale meet York in huge title decider

York City and Rochdale will face off on Saturday afternoon in a “winner takes all” clash to decide this year’s National League title.

Only one side can gain automatic promotion to League Two, with the other entering the play-offs alongside Carlisle United, Boreham Wood, Scunthorpe United, Southend United and Forest Green Rovers. City currently find themselves on 107 points, whilst Rochdale are on 105, giving this weekend’s away side a notable advantage over their opponents as a draw will be enough to see them promoted.

Both sides were in the play-offs last season, but neither made the final, where Oldham Athletic were ultimately promoted back to the Football League. They also both boast two of the league’s top scorers, York’s Ollie Pearce leads the league’s scoring charts with 34, whilst Rochdale’s Emmanuel Dieseruvwe is third; he bagged his side’s 99th-minute winner last time out, which set up this final day spectacle. Pearce is also in fine form lately, having scored in his last two outings; both players will no doubt play a key role in Saturday’s result.

Former Notts County manager Stuart Maynard has been the man in charge of York this season and will be hoping to add a 34th win to his tally at the helm of The Minstermen since his appointment last August. Meanwhile, Jimmy McNulty will remain in the Rochdale dugout for his 170th game in charge, almost as many as the 197 he was involved in as a player for the club.

York came out on top in the reverse fixture back in November, handing The Dale a 4-1 hammering thanks to braces from Pearce and Josh Stones. In fact, City have won their last four meetings with Rochdale since August 2024. Rochdale’s last win came in the early days of McNulty’s tenure, 3-1 at the LNER Community Stadium back in August 2023.

A sold-out Crown Oil Arena in Rochdale awaits the two sides on Saturday afternoon, with kick-off scheduled for 12:30pm (UK time)