Match Preview | Oxford City v Buxton
Hoops looking get back to winning ways on the weekend.
Oxford City look to get back on track as they host Buxton at The MGroup Stadium in the Vanarama National League North (3pm KO).
City are still feeling the pain of the FA Trophy exit as they lost to the National League's Woking on penalties a week ago but will be buoyed by the impressive nature of the performance.
Earlier in the season, City lost 2-1 to Buxton but feel they should have taken more from the game as Jayden Carbon brought the Hoops level within the first half.
Buxton were looking nailed on from a playoff position but a poor run of form (winless in their last five league games) have seen the Bucks fall to ninth.
City will be hoping to right the wrongs of earlier in the season and get back to winning ways with a dominant performance against Buxton.
FIXTURE DETAILS
Oxford City v Buxton
The MGroup Stadium – Saturday 6th March – 3:00pm
Vanarama National League North
Referee: Jake Allsop Assistant Referees: Daniel Clenton & Ryan Price | Fourth Official: Thomas Durno
Form (League Only)
OXFORD CITY - L L L D D
City's last two outings in the Vanarama National League North have resulted in battling performances earning them a point in each game against Chester and Scunthorpe, both sides looking to earn top spot.
Hoops fans have to cast their mind back to the 1-0 home win over Marine for the last three points in the league but they have deserved more than their recent form suggests.
The statistics make for grim reading for City with just 0.50 goals scored and 1.88 goals conceded per game over the last eight games but there is more than enough quality for the Hoops to find a run of form toward the end of the season.
With just two points separating themselves from the relegation zone, a win at Buxton will prove crucial for the Hoops.
BUXTON - L D L L D
Buxton haven't won in five but were on an impressive run of form before the downturn having won five in six games.
Since the beginning of the season, Buxton have picked up 1.52 points per game, well above the league average of 1.38 but in recent times their points per game has fallen to 1.00.
The Bucks have an impressive goalscoring record with only Brackley Town and Scunthorpe United scoring more goals than them this season.
But over the last eight games their record has dipped as they have scored just 1.13 goals per game.
Buxton will be hoping to right their own season and push toward the playoff places as they march toward the end of the season.
THE MANAGER - JOHN MCGRATH
McGrath has had a short managerial career thus far but enjoyed an extensive playing career which began when he signed for Aston Villa in 1999 following a two-week trial.
He made two appearances for Villa before being sent on loan to Dagenham & Redbridge. From there he was a part of the Doncaster Rovers side that won the third division title.
McGrath spent six years at Burton Albion. During his first season they reached the playoff semi finals and McGrath was named the club's player of the year. During the 2008/9 season, McGrath made 48 appearances and scored 8 goals for Albion which was enough to earn the side promotion to League Two.
He joined Mickleover in 2015 when he was named as play-manager. He remained in the managerial role until 2024 when he joined Buxton.
ONE TO WATCH - LUKE BRENNAN
Brennan Egan his career at Blackburn Rovers, the side he joined as a 7-year-old. In July 2020 he signed his first professional contract and made his professional debut that season as he came off the bench against Nottingham Forest.
A month later he was sent on loan to AFC Fylde. His loan with the Coasters only last two months as he was recalled by Blackburn where. he remained for 2 more years.
Brennan seems to have found a home in Buxton as the winger has bagged nine goals this season and while the goals have been spread out for the Bucks, Brennan remains their top scorer.
With their poor goalscoring form, Brennan will be hoping to find the net for the first time since he netted a brace at home to Southport, guiding his side to a 2-1 victory.
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