MATCH PREVIEW | DOVER ATHLETIC V OXFORD CITY
There's three games to go in Vanarama National League South and City kick-off the run-in with their longest away trip of the season to face Dover Athletic.
COUNTDOWN TO KICK-OFF
LAST TIME OUT:
City made it a night to remember at the RAW Charging Stadium as they thumped Dover 3-1 back in November.
The game was all over in the first forty-five minutes as the Hoops raced into a three-goal lead.
Joe Iaciofano gave City the lead after fifteen minutes, steering home from inside the box after Latrell Humphrey-Ewers' pass deflected into the strikers feet.
It was 2-0 after the half-hour mark, this time through Josh Ashby. A superb passing move eventually found the midfielder on the edge of the box and he fired a low drive into the corner of the net from a difficult angle.
Zac McEachran added the third just six minutes after Dover 'keeper Nelson was left stranded after a clearance smashed the midfielder in the chest at point-blank range and bounced into the net.
Dover did grab a late consolation. George Nikaj's goal in the 90th minute was the only sour point on a dominant performance.
FORM:
DOVER ATHLETIC
Form: L L W D L
It's fair to say that this season hasn't gone to plan for Dover and this is exemplified by recent results. However, their one win away at Braintree shows the White's capabilities.
In fact, that victory came at a good time for Dover as it ended a run of four defeats on the trot (and five without a win). Nevertheless, the season has had its better points.
In 2023 they went on a six game unbeaten run which included impressive wins over play-off chasing Eastbourne & Havant & Waterlooville.
The team have suffered due to their lack of consistency but that makes them all the more dangerous if they turn up on Saturday!
OXFORD CITY
Form: W D W L W
Ross Jenkins' side have put their recent blip (if you can even call it that) behind them. In the last seven games they've only been beaten once (on Good Friday away at Champions Ebbsfleet) and have consistently picked up points that sees them wedged at the upper end of the play-offs.
The task now will be to win their remaining games, which would almost certainly secure a top three finish. If only things were so easy though!
Monday's win over Chelmsford was a big boost for the Hoops' chances but they can't afford to let their foot off the gas at this stage of the campaign.
ONE TO WATCH: Luke Wanadio
A man who knows where the net is, Wanadio is a key man in the Dover squad. He's currently the White's top scorer with ten goals, and scored twice in their recent 3-1 win over Braintree Town.
He finished last season with a short stint at Folkestone Invicta, scoring five goals in 15 appearances, including a hat-trick against Potters Bar.
The former Bromley, Aldershot, Welling, and Dartford wideman initially joined Invicta on loan in January after making six starts and six substitute appearances for Dartford, a team he had three spells with, before making the move a permanent one.
THE GAFFER'S THOUGHTS:
“It’s a long journey but we’ve got to get on with it and we’ll prepare as normal and get ready for a good game of football.
“There’s no fear on their behalf. However, it’s important that we don’t focus on that. They’ll do what they can do and we’ll try and do what we’re best at and what we’ve been doing all season and try and get a result there."
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