Match Preview | Needham Market v Oxford City
Hoops travel to Needham Market looking for a win.
Oxford City travel to Needham Market on Saturday looking to get back to winning ways in the Vanarama National League North.
Tough defeats to Leamington and Peterborough Sports in the last week have pushed City closer to the drop zone than they would like to be.
The last time these sides met the Hoops left The MGroup Stadium with all three points after an impressive performance in a 3-0 victory. Parker, Fleet and McEachran all scored that day, City’s first win of the season.
It the beginning of a barren run for Needham who only picked up one win in the following 10 games but have turned their season around with three wins in their last six fixtures.
This weekend’s game is a big one for both sides who are looking to give themselves some cushion from the bottom four.
FIXTURE DETAILS
Needham Market v Oxford City
Bloomfields – Saturday 15th February – 3:00pm
Vanarama National League North
Referee: Benjamin Tomlinson Assistant Referees: Liam Botten & Christopher Reeson Fourth Official: Minesh Gupta
Form (League Only)
NEEDHAM MARKET - L W L W L
The Marketmen’s form has improved over the last few weeks with wins over Farsley, Warrington and Alfreton. Their losses have come against tough opposition in Hereford, Brackley and Scunthorpe.
Bloomfields has not been the fortress they were hoping for this season as Needham Market have only won twice there this season against Warrington and South Shields. There 10 defeats they have suffered at home mean on homme records alone they sit 23rd.
The hosts have scored an average of just under a goal per game this season but that record has shot up over the last eight as they have bagged 1.75 goals per game, thanks in large to the six they put past Farsley last weekend.
OXFORD CITY - D L W L L
With back-to-back disappointing defeats in that last week, City will be looking to get back to winning ways against a side they beat earlier in the season.
The Hoops will be buoyed by the performances as of late however, and feel they should have at least taken a point from both of the games to back up outstanding performances at home to Marine and Forest Green.
This is a good opportunity for the Hoops to put some distance between themselves and the relegation zone with a string of five tough games coming up including the FA Trophy Quarter Final against Woking.
THE MANAGER - KEVIN HORLOCK
Kevin Horlock most notably played for Manchester City in his playing career.
He played in three different divisions for the Citizens including the Premier League (or Premiership back then) as City won promotion from League One.
He also played for Swindon Town, West Ham United, Ipswich Town, Doncaster Rovers and Mansfield Town. He also earnt 32 caps internationally for Northern Ireland.
As a manager, Horlock has previously coached at Chatham Town and Maldon & Tiptree and at youth level for Colchester United
ONE TO WATCH - LUKE INGRAM
Needham Market's longest serving player, Luke Ingram will be remaining with the Marketmen for the foreseeable future after he committed his future to the club in the summer.
Ingram is the Marketmen's club record appearance holder with over 500 appearances under his belt after turning out for the club throughout the past ten seasons.
He has an eye for goal too, he's scored 121 goals for the club during that time and was a key component of the side that won promotion last season.
He's a fans' favourite, and he became the club’s leading goalscorer with a last minute penalty in a 3-2 defeat to Alfreton in the FA Trophy.
