FIXTURE DETAILS

Chesterfield vs Oxford City

Vanarama National League

SMH Group Stadium | Tuesday 12th March   19:45

Referee: Stuart Morland    Assistants: Harley McKittrick & Tom Wall   Fourth Official: David Jones

RECENT FORM

Oxford City -  D L L L D

Saturday's 2-2 draw away at Rochdale was much more like the Oxford City side we've become accustomed in the last few years.

A performance full of heart helped secure a solid result on the road, but it was a game which could have easily ended with the Hoops picking up all three points.

Nevertheless, despite the standings, the team showed that they continue to play with the same amount of hunger & determination as they did from the get-go back in August. It's clear to see the players will continue until the very end of the season.

City's wait for a win goes on, though. The 1-0 win over Ebbfleet United on the 27th January was when the side last picked up maximum points. If they can do that in Derbyshire, they'll send shockwaves throughout the division.

Chesterfield - L D W L W

Despite their lofty league position, Chesterfield's consistency seems to have deserted them of late. However, just one look at the league table will tell you everything you need to know about the quality within Paul Cook's side.

They sit comfortably at the top of the National League, 20 (yes, twenty) points clear of 2nd placed Bromley.

Infact, they've been so consistent, that their two defeats (to Bromley & Dorking) account for 20% of their defeats ALL season. Furthermore, they're yet to be beaten at home in the league this season.

On Saturday, they put their stuttering spell behind them to thrash a rejuvenated AFC Fylde side 4-1 at the SMH Group Stadium.

 Furthermore, three points on Tuesday evening (and anything less than a win for Bromley at Wealdstone) would mean they could be crowned champions on Saturday.

THE GAFFER'S THOUGHTS

Read what Ross Jenkins had to say before Tuesday's match by clicking HERE.

ONE TO WATCH - Tom Naylor

We could've easily picked a number of Chesterfield's key men to highlight.

Will Grigg has 23 league goals to his name and is hot on the heels of Paul McCallum for the golden boot this season. However, we've gone for Tom Naylor.

Naylor has excelled with the Spireites this season, and it's no surprise with his quality. In fact, City fans will have bad memories of the versatile midfielder after he headed Chesterfield in front at the RAW Charging Stadium in the reverse fixture between the two sides.

Naylor made 36 appearances for Wigan Athletic in the Championship last season and joined the Spireites in the summer.

After starting his career at Mansfield Town, Naylor played for the likes of Derby County, Burton Albion and Portsmouth before joining Wigan in the summer of 2021.

Perhaps most impressive is his goal tally. Naylor has ten league goals to his name this season, putting him behind Grigg in the club's goalscoring charts this season. Not a bad achievement for a defensive-minded player.

LAST TIME OUT

Despite a resilient display earlier on in the season, it was the Spireites who edged a tight clash between the two.

Tom Naylor's header on the stroke of half-time was cancelled out in the second-half by Josh Parker's superb volley.

However, the away side left it late to grab three points, as Will Grigg scored with just minutes to go to break City hearts.

THE MANAGER - Paul Cook

Paul Cook has been the mastermind behind Chesterfield's outstanding season.

The Liverpool-born manager is about to be promoted for the second time with Chesterfield.

The ex-Burnley midfielder is in the hot-seat with the Spireites for the second time in his career, after winning the League Two title in Derbyshire back in 2013/14. Furthermore, he almost took Tuesday's opponents to the Championship, but they narrowly missed out in the play-offs, losing to the eventual winners Preston North End.

He was promoted (and won) League Two for a second time as Portsmouth Manager in 2016/17 and his success at Fratton Park led to a return to the North West with Wigan Athletic.

He was promoted for a third time as a manager with the Latics, leading them back to the Championship after their relegation the previous season. However, perhaps more impressively, led the club to a famous FA Cup run which included a 1-0 victory over Pep Guardiola's Manchester City.

He left Wigan to join Ipswich Town in 2021, but his time at Portman Road didn't bring the same success that has followed him throughout his career.

Nevertheless, Chesterfield came calling in February 2022, seven years after he had left previously.

The rest they say is history... Chesterfield are about to be promoted again with Cook a firm fans' favourite. It will be his fourth promotion as a manager.

HOW TO FOLLOW

FOLLOW THE ACTION:

Stay tuned to our official Twitter page for all the build-up, regular updates and post-match action.

LIVE COMMENTARY ON BBC SOUNDS

This match will have LIVE commentary on BBC Sounds curtesy of BBC Radio Oxford. Simply tune in to BBC Radio Oxford on the BBC Sounds app, or head to the non-league commentary page HERE.

STREAMING ON NATIONAL LEAGUE TV:

This match will be available for streaming via NLTV both internationally and in the UK, click the link HERE to buy your match pass!

Don't forget to select Oxford City as your favourite team at checkout!