FA Cup Match Preview: Oxford City vs Plymouth Parkway
It's a break from league action this week as Oxford City return to Emirates FA Cup action as we welcome Plymouth Parkway to Oxfordshire.
COUNTDOWN TO KICK-OFF
City will be hoping to create more FA Cup memories with victory in tomorrow's third qualifying round against Plymouth Parkway.Despite falling at the first hurdle last season, the Hoops have fond memories of the competition in recent years, making at least the first-round proper for four successive seasons between 2017 and 2020, including the stunning win over Northampton Town in 2020.
This will be Parkway's third visit to Oxfordshire in this season's campaign with wins over Didcot & North Leigh.
This is the first ever match between the two teams.
LAST TIME OUT:
City secured their place in the third qualifying round with an impressive 2-1 win away at Salisbury. A debut goal from Olly Sanderson set City on their way before Lewis Coyle added a second.
City had to see the game out after the hosts pulled a goal back at the death but the Hoops held on to secure tomorrow's tie.
FORM:
PLYMOUTH PARKWAY
Form: LLLDW
Despite a poor start to their league campaign, wins over Didcot & North Leigh in the FA Cup have given parkway their first ever third qualifying round tie.
Parkway recorded their first win of the season on Tuesday night with a 3-1 victory over City's second round qualifying opponents Salisbury, so City are aware of the threat that the Devonshire side pose.
OXFORD CITY
Form: LLWDD
After a super start to the season, it's fair to say luck has gone against Ross Jenkins side recently. Last minute goals against Chippenham & Chelmsford have denied City a share of the spoils, with more refereeing mistakes costing the Hoops points against Bath City.
However, it seems City have put that behind them with an extremely impressive point against runaway league leaders Ebbsfleet on Tuesday night. Olly Sanderson grabbing City's goal in a 1-1 draw.
Star Man: Ben Seymour
Seymour is somewhat of a coup for Parkway. The 23-year-old may be young but has already shown what he can offer at the level with loan spells at Bideford and Dorchester. The high-profile striker rejected various offers from clubs after leaving Exeter City at the end of last season in order to stay in Devon with Parkway.
Parkway describe the striker as the club's 'most high profile signing of the summer' and the team will be looking to him to help extend their historic cup run.
The gaffer's thoughts
Ross Jenkins is aware of the threat that Plymouth Parkway pose in the tie and is hoping that the Hoops aren't one of the round's giant killings.
"There's going to be upsets in the round, there always is, so we've got to make sure we're not on the wrong end of one. Emotions will be high as we all want to progress so we've got to be prepared to go and put a good shift in."
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