Match Preview: Havant & Waterlooville vs Oxford City
After making it to the FA Cup First Round last Saturday, there's a return to Vanarama National League South for Oxford City, as the Hoops travel to Havant & Waterlooville.
COUNTDOWN TO KICK-OFF
Oxford City will be looking to extend their unbeaten run in Vanarama National League South to four games on Saturday. Draws with Bath City, Ebbsfleet Utd and Tonbridge have given the Hoops a steady foundation to build upon as the season alongside a successful Emirates FA Cup run.
Saturday's opponents may have fallen at the FA Cup's qualifying final hurdle but in the VNLS their form has been exceptional. Paul Doswell's side have asserted themselves firmly in the title race and they'll be looking for three points to keep up with favourites Ebbsfleet.
LAST TIME OUT:
City left it late to complete a league double over the Hawkes. Billy Clifford had given Havant the lead directly from a corner in the first half but Joe Iaciofano levelled after tapping home Jacob Bancroft's shot.
From then on in, City capitalised on their dominance. George Harmon's left-footed drive put the Hoops ahead before Josh Ashby sealed the three points in added time.
FORM:
HAVANT & WATERLOOVILLE FC
Form: DWWWL*
*All competitions
Havant are flying in VNLS, sitting in second place in the table and with a 100% home record in the league. They're yet to lose a game in the league so far, only dropping point in draws with Welling & Braintree.
However, the Hawks will be looking to bounce back from Saturday's disappointing Emirates FA Cup defeat to bottom of the table Weymouth at the first attempt. A rare low point on what has been a stellar start to their season.
OXFORD CITY
Form: DDWDW*
*All competitions
City have bounced back from disappointing defeats to Chippenham & Chelmsford by going on a respectable unbeaten run. Ross Jenkins' side avoided upsets at Plymouth Parkway and Hornchurch to secure a place in the FA Cup's First Round. Whereas, in Vanarama National League South, draws with table topping Ebbsfleet United, Bath & Tonbridge extended the unbeaten run.
However, the run in the FA Cup has seen the Hoops drop down in the table (due to other teams playing more fixtures) and Jenkins' side will be looking for a first three points in the league since a 2-0 victory over Hampton & Richmond.
ONE TO WATCH: James Roberts
Someone who needs no introduction to the City fanbase, Roberts left the Hoops in the summer of 2021 to join the South Coast side after a stellar season at the RAW Charging Stadium.
However, his first season with the Hawks was rather rocky. The attacker ended up leaving the club on loan to gain minutes with fellow VNLS side Hampton & Richmond. Nevertheless, Roberts seems to have found his form again and has played a key role in Havant's rise up the table, scoring five goals this season.
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