Match Preview | Oxford City v Leamington
The lowdown on the clash with Leamington.
Oxford City host Leamington in the Vanarama National League North on Saturday (3pm KO) on the back of two impressive victories against Forest Green and Marine.
The two 1-0 wins over Forest Green and Marine were built on resounding defensive performances and some outstanding saves from Kai McKenzie-Lyle and the Hoops will be hoping for more of the same on the weekend.
In the reverse fixture from earlier in the year, Leamington got the better of City and ran away 4-1 winners.
Since then, City have been in imperious form, picking up points against sides at the top of the league, both home and away and will be looking to right the wrongs from earlier in the season.
It’s the final fixture in the run of five successive home games for the Hoops. They have collected four league points and beaten National League heavyweights, Forest Green to go two wins from Wembley during that run.
FIXTURE DETAILS
Oxford City v Leamington
The MGroup Stadium – Saturday 8th February – 3:00pm
Vanarama National League North
Referee: Gareth Thomas Assitant Referees: Sean Jenkins & Isaac Blakey Fourth Official: Catalin Tanase
Form (League Only)
OXFORD CITY
City’s one loss in the last five came against Curzon Ashton, but since then the Hoops have been mighty. Back-to-back 1-0 victories over Forest Green and Marine are more than enough to give the Hoops confidence going into this game.
The Hoops have conceded just eight goals since the turn of the year and the large majority of them came in one fixture.
The form table places Oxford City in 19th, but they should be much higher than the table suggest have been unfortunate not to pick up more than a point against Chorley and Kidderminster.
Saturday's game is a good benchmark for City to see how far they've come this season and will be in good spirits after some impressive performances.
LEAMINGTON
The Brakes sit one position below City and just one point behind and after the reverse fixture at the New Windmill Ground, will be confident of completing the double over the Hoops this year.
Winless in their last five away trips in the National League North, Leamington will be looking to get back to winning ways on the road.
On average, the Brakes have conceded 1.30 goals per game so far this season, but over the last eight game have let in an average of 1.88 goals per game.
Their goals scored record makes more better reading however. They have scored 1.50 goals per game over the last eight compared to the 1.26 they have averaged across the season.
THE MANAGER - Paul Holleran
Approaching his 15th year in charge of the Brakes, he passed 700 games in charge of the club in March 2024, and celebrated at the end of the season by leading his side back to the National League North at the first attempt through the Southern League Play Offs.
During his time at the helm, he has also led the club to a Southern League title and a Play Off win along with three Birmingham Senior Cup wins, whilst playing a large part in the development of several current EFL players.
Starting his career as a scholar at Birmingham City, Paul played for Alvechurch and Solihull Borough before two knee operations forced early retirement and a move into coaching, where he is qualified to UEFA level.
He was instrumental in setting up reserve and youth teams at Solihull before his first managerial role at Kings Norton Town, guiding them to runners up spot in the Midland Alliance and a cup win. He then worked alongside David Busst at Solihull, eventually taking over the manager’s role.
He had a hand in both Solihull and Halesowen Town winning promotion in 2003/04, taking over the latter part way through the season.
The Yeltz won the Worcestershire Senior Cup and reached the 1st round proper of the FA Cup under his stewardship. Paul has also managed Rushall Olympic, taking them to two play-off spots and the 4th Qualifying Round of the FA Cup for the first time in their history.
ONE TO WATCH - Henry Landers
With Callum Stewart’s recent departure to League One side Shrewsbury Town, the goalscoring onus has fallen to Landers who has picked up five so far this season, his most recent coming in a 2-1 victory over a 10-man Darlington side a couple of weeks ago.
Landers joined the Brakes from Oxfordshire rivals Banbury United in 2023 after three successful years with the side winning the Southern Premier Division Central title in 2022 and then keeping the Puritans in the National League North the following season.
Landers came through the youth system at Oxford City and enjoyed fruitful periods at Maidenhead United and North Leigh, where his goalscoring prowess earned him moves higher up the pyramid.
Landers played a crucial role in earning the Brakes promotion to the National League North and will play a crucial role for them for the remainder of the season.
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