Match Preview | Leamington v Oxford City
City looking to make it back-to-back wins in Vanarama National League North.
On the eighth attempt this season, Oxford City finally got their first league win of the season against Needham Market on Saturday.
In any winless run, breaking the duck in any way you can is the first thing on the agenda, but the Hoops put in a stylish performance to end their barren run in style.
Now the question will be whether City can secure back-to-back wins in the league as they look to pull away from the bottom four. However, an away trip to Leamington will be a very tough task.
The Brakes are unbeaten in their last four NLN matches (five if you include the FA Cup) and are also unbeaten at home this season.
The last time the two club's met was all the way back on New Year's Day in 2015. City got the better of the two teams on that occasion, winning 3-1 at Court Place Farm.
However, City's history at New Windmill Ground is poor. In their last two visits, the Hoops have been beaten 4-0 both times.
Let's hope that third time's a charm.
FIXTURE DETAILS
Leamington v Oxford City
New Windmill Ground - Tuesday 24th September - 19:45
Vanarama National League North
Referee: Ben Robinson | Assistants: Lewis Smith & Jason Porter | Fourth Official: Ryan Price
RECENT FORM
*League Only
OXFORD CITY - L L D L W
After seven games without a win in VNLN, Oxford City ended their barren run in style with a thoroughly impressive 3-0 win over Needham Market.
The mood completely changed since the 3-1 defeat at home to Peterborough Sports on the Tuesday prior to Saturday's fixture.
The challenge will now be whether the Hoops can start to claw their way back up the NLN table.
LEAMINGTON - L W D D W
After bouncing back to the VNLN at the first time of asking, the Brakes were one of the bookies' favourites to be in the bottom four this season.
However, their early season form has shown that they're up for the fight.
Leamington come into this fixture on the back of a four-game unbeaten run in the league, after wins against Farsley Celtic and Rushall Olympic and draws away at Warrington Town & Marine.
The challenge for Oxford City will be to find their way past a stubborn defence. Leamington have only conceded eight goals so far this season. Only Scunthorpe United and Darlington have conceded less.
THE GAFFER'S THOUGHTS
"We know where we are and we're not where we want to be and we know that Leamington is going to be tough.
"I emphasise the difficulty of the National League North where every game is a difficult game, every game is a challenge.
"I think people from the outside of the division won't understand how tough it is until they're in it. We know how tough this league is, and Leamington are unbeaten in four.
"But we're resolute, we're fighting and the boys have shown they have each other's backs and that's all we can do.
"We know we have talented players, so we go again and we're looking forward to Tuesday."
ONE TO WATCH - Callum Stewart
With four goals to his name in the VNLN this season already, Callum Stewart is the one that the Hoops need to look out for on Tuesday evening.
The Brakes signed up one of the hottest properties in Midlands Non League football when signing Callum Stewart from Coventry Sphinx in the summer of 2023.
The 22 year old, who lives less than two miles from the ground and was born in the town, spent time with Brakes in pre season a year prior to joining the club after scoring 40 goals in the United Counties League for Coventry Sphinx.
When he returned there he repeated the feat, helping the club into Step 4 for the first time in their history.
'Cally' justified Leamington Manager Paul Holleran’s faith in him by quickly finding his feet at Step 3, and finished as the club's top scorer with 22 goals. He will be confident of making a similar impact in the National League North.
THE MANAGER - Paul Holleran
One of the most well liked and respected managers in Midlands Non League football and beyond, Paul took over at Leamington in November 2009.
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.
