ADAM HINSHELWOOD expects his York City players to ‘embrace’ their Boxing Day showdown at Oldham Athletic.

York will travel to Oldham on Boxing Day at the later kick-off time of 5.30pm, with enhanced production from DAZN, as City look to extend their lead at the top of the National League table.

Despite being as low down as fifth, Oldham are a real threat to City’s spot at the top due to their games in hand, which could see the Latics leapfrog York should they capitalise.

It’s a match that Hinshelwood is relishing, with the boss excited for the challenge of taking on a former Premier League club.

“It’s a real sort of challenge for us, they’ve got a couple of games in hand and will be looking to close that gap definitely on Thursday,” Hinshelwood reviewed.

“Two massive clubs for this level, so it’s a real big game and one to enjoy.

“It’s an old stadium with lots of heritage and a lot of tradition, I can remember going there as a player and it’s a real good place to play, be a part of, manage and coach and the supporters will really enjoy it as well.

“We’re just hoping that both teams can live up to the day, give a good show and a good encounter for the National League.

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“Growing up, I remember their early years in the Premier League and being in the Premier League, so they will definitely have sights of being a Football League club.

“That’s definitely their aim and ambition to do that, not to just get in the Football League but to move up the leagues as well.

“That’s the aim of the club and Micky [Mellon, Oldham manager] has definitely got them moving in the right direction this year, they’re in a really good position, have a couple of games in hand and want to close that gap.

“When they do have their games in hand, they can pounce and be a part of the make-up at the top end of the table.

“A real tough game and a real tough ask for us, every game at this time of the season is in a real big period of Christmas and January, it’s a big part of the season and we’ve got to step up and embrace it, and enjoy these fixtures.

“We probably didn’t expect to be here but now that we’re here, we want to embrace it and really enjoy people trying to take points off of us to try and stop us from being at the top of the league.”

Hinshelwood believes that the Boxing Day fixture will be seen as something of a peak of what non-league and National League football can be, comparing the clash as a League One fixture.

With that in mind, the boss may struggle to focus on Christmas Day, admitting that he would have one eye looking ahead at the Latics match.

Hinshelwood added: “I don’t think it gets much better as a National League player for me, the size and stature of the game is almost like a League One fixture, and it’s happening in the National League.

“Anyone involved in football, these are the games that you want to be a part of.

“It’s come at a perfect time, Boxing Day is a football day, and I’m sure that both sets of fans will be well up for it.

“The later kick-off as well, it’s got all the makings of a top game and I’m hoping that the players will really embrace it.

“You’d be lying if you said that you said you didn’t have one sort of eye on the game.

“You’re trying to be present, excuse the pun, but present for the kids on the day but you’ve got one eye on the game as well.

“It’s something that growing up in football, you always look forward to Christmas day but knowing that the next day there is normally a game on Boxing Day, it’s always been a football day has Boxing Day for myself growing up, even more so now.

“I really enjoy Christmas Day with the family but I also can’t wait for the game, what a big game and a day to enjoy on Boxing Day.”

One threat to York could be Oldham’s attacking options, with players such as James Norwood, Josh Stones, Joe Garner and Mike Fondop in their ranks.

It’s something that Hinshelwood hopes to nullify with the press, which his side have impressed with as of late.

“They’ve got a lot of firepower and so have we, so we focus on what we can control and what we can control is our game.

“Our tempo and what we can control is how we press and sprint after the opposition, I think that has been brilliant as of late and we’ve got to really show that again.

“We’ve got a very good defensive partnership in Callum Howe and Malachi [Fagan-Walcott] at the moment, so we’ll obviously know about their strengths and at the same time won’t fear it too much.

“These are top players that I think you want to be playing against and testing yourself against week in, week out.

“It’ll be great and a very tough challenge, but we’ve got personnel in the ranks that will look forward to and embrace that challenge as well.”