Match Preview | Oxford City FC v South Shields
City look to end winless run when South Shields visit Oxfordshire.
Oxford City will look to pick up their first three points of the season as they take on South Shields on Saturday afternoon at Court Place Farm (3.00pm).
It's fair to say that any fan that travels down from the North East won't have an short journey! Hats off to every South Shields fan making the 267 mile journey down to Court Place Farm.
This is a game where City will hope to pick up their first three points in the National League North. Despite a promising start against Curzon Ashton on Tuesday evening, City fell to a 1-0 defeat as a second-half scissor kick was enough to give the home side all three points.
Despite that, the Hoops have played some impressive football at times and have shown the quality they have through the likes of Jayden Carbon, Brad Stretton and Zac McEachran, they're just missing that bit of luck.
After gaining promotion to NLN in the 22/23 season, South Shields narrowly missed out on a play-off spot after an impressive first season in the sixth tier, and will hope to repeat that feat, with further fortune this time round.
The Mariners won their first game of the season on Tuesday evening, after falling to back-to-back defeats to start off with.
This is the first time that City and South Shields will meet in their history, and Manager Sam Cox is expecting a tough test from the 'best footballing side in the division'.
FIXTURE DETAILS
Oxford City v South Shields
Court Place Farm - Saturday 24th August - 15:00
National League North
Referee: Neil Pratt Assistants: Liam White & Josh Osofa | Fourth Official: Samuel Lee
FORM
OXFORD CITY - D D L
Despite a solid start, City's luck has deserted them of late.
Brad Stretton's late minute equaliser salvaged a point for the Hoops away at Marine on the opening day, before the side came from behind twice to earn their second point against Darlington.
On Tuesday, City traveled to Curzon Ashton, and despite controlling the majority of the first-half with clear cut chances, City were unable to find the back of the net and eventually fell to a 1-0 defeat against the league's high-flyers.
SOUTH SHIELDS - L L W
After a shaky start to NLN, South Shields have turned their fortunes around with a 2-1 victory against Warrington Town.
After going a goal down, the Mariners struck either side of half-time to earn their first three points of the season.
Prior to this, the visitors fell to a 3-0 defeat away at Hereford, and a 2-1 defeat at home to Curzon Ashton.
Their longest of the season, South Shields will take a 534-mile round trip to Oxfordshire Saturday afternoon.
TEAM NEWS
Sam Cox has no new injury concerns for Saturday's contest.
New signing Louis Walsh is nearing return to full fitness. New loanee Aidan Elliott-Wheeler made his full debut Tuesday evening and will look to continue that Saturday.
THE GAFFER'S THOUGHTS
Sam Cox spoke ahead of the weekend's clash. Read what he said by clicking HERE.
ONE TO WATCH - Paul Blackett
After winning National League North Player of the Year 23/24, 26-year-old Paul Blackett is our 'One To Watch'.
Finding the back of the net over 50 times in his career so far, Blackett has proven to be a threat in and around the box, making him an all-round top striker.
A proven goalscorer at Vanarama National League North level, Paul Blackett signed for South Shields from Spennymoor in the summer of 2023.
Blessed with a poacher’s instinct and hard-working attitude, he has scored goals regularly at this level for Gateshead, Blyth Spartans and Spennymoor previously. Blackett scored thirty goals (yes, thirty) for the Mariners last season.
Starting out at Gateshead, Blackett found the back of the net 10 times in the 21/22 season, helping the Heed win promotion to the National League.
Blackett also found his feet at Blyth Spartans where he scored six times in 11 appearances during his time.
You can see that Blackett is set to have another important season ahead as he looks to add to his impressive goal scoring tally.
A leader from the front, Paul Blackett will give City a hard time Saturday.
THE MANAGER - Elliott Dickman
After his playing career was cut short when at the age of 20 due to a persistent hip injury at Sunderland, Dickman turned his attention to coaching.
Dickman remained at the Black Cats following the injury as an Academy Coach, working his way through the ranks as Academy Assistant Manager, before taking up the U23 Head Coach role in 2017. He had a successful spell on Wearside, leading his team to a quarter final in the Premier League International Cup.
The then 41-year-old joined Newcastle United as the Lead Player Development Coach for the U23 side. He maintained that role for 16 months before deciding a move to the South Shields Academy would suit him best.
Soon after his arrival, Dickman was appointed Head Coach for the first team, after the departure of Julio Arca.
Initially brought in on an interim basis during the 23/24 season, the academy boss took the reigns after the club had dropped into mid-table of the National League North.
However a strong end to the season, which saw a run of 12 wins in the final 20 games, saw South Shields make a late run for a play-off place.
Despite missing out on the play-offs by one point, Dickman signed a two-year contract.
