MATCH PREVIEW | OXFORD CITY V CHELMSFORD CITY

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MATCH PREVIEW | OXFORD CITY V CHELMSFORD CITY

Sam Hammond • April 8, 2023

Oxford City return home for an enormous game in the context of the Vanarama National League South play-off places.

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The Hoops are set to face an impressive Chelmsford side who, under manager Robbie Simpson, are breathing down City’s neck in the Vanarama National League South standings.

LAST TIME OUT:

Oxford City’s eighth match of the campaign saw Ross Jenkins’ men make the near-100 mile journey to Essex, and the Melbourne Stadium. The Hoops went into a third away fixture in the space of nine days having lost the previous two, without scoring a goal. Their opponents, Chelmsford, had made a bright start in the league, losing just once in the lead-up to the game.

City’s now-top-goalscorer, Josh Parker, signed with the club just in time to make his debut, while defender Charlie Rowan served the first match of a three-game suspension.

From minute one, the Hoops were on the back-foot, struggling to deal with Chelmsford’s cross-heavy game plan. But after 20 had been played, City started to find their rhythm, and had the lion’s share of possession until half-time, with a number of chances batted away by the Clarets’ on-loan Arsenal goalkeeper Ovie Ejeheri.

It was a similar story in the second half, with Ejeheri a man inspired - denying the Hoops of every opportunity to open the scoring. Chelmsford had their own chances to take the lead, and did just that in the dying stages when, after an in-swinging corner dropped dead on the goal-line, Adebola Oluwu was first on the scene to poke home the winner.

FORM:

OXFORD CITY

Form: W W D W L

xford City have rediscovered their winning form at the most crucial of times, with three wins in their last five matches, a run of games that has seen the Hoops cement third position in VNLS.

In their last home fixture, City were imperious, with a resounding 4-0 victory over an in-form Tonbridge Angels side. A brilliant hat-trick from 22-year-old striker Klaidi Lolos and a powerful header from defender Jack Davies saw the game all-but secured less than 10 minutes into the second half.

Ross Jenkins’ side were brought down to earth on Good Friday, falling to a 3-0 defeat away to now-champions Ebbsfleet United, and will be eager to get back to winning ways on Easter Monday.

CHELMSFORD CITY

Form: L W W W W

Chelmsford, like their opponents City, are another side who look to have found form at the perfect time when it comes to the race for those valuable play-off spots.

The Clarets have been in superb form as of late, with vital wins over the likes of Dulwich Hamlet, Concord Rangers, Worthing and Dartford all in the last month. In their Good Friday fixture, Chelmsford clinched a crucial three points at home to Farnborough - having come back from behind twice - before winning the game in the 90th minute through Michael Folivi.

Robbie Simpson’s side will be aiming to take another step closer to securing a place in the National League South play-offs, and there will likely be no bigger game than against the team one position above them.

ONE TO WATCH: Michael Folivi

After nearly two years away from football, Folivi signed for Chelmsford in February of this year following his full recovery from injury, and has impressed since, with six goals in nine appearances for the Clarets, including two in their last game.

A promising striker who made his way through the Watford academy, Folivi has had spells at nearly every level of the English game, with the likes of Coventry City, Boreham Wood, AFC Wimbledon and Colchester United.

The 25-year-old’s Football League career was unfairly cut short when he suffered an achilles tendon injury in 2021; Folivi was set to sign a new deal with Colchester, but required surgery.

But the striker, who has played in the Premier League, looks to have found his feet under Robbie Simpson, and will no doubt be one for the City defence to contend with on Monday.

THE GAFFER'S THOUGHTS:

“It'll be another difficult game. It'll be a slightly different challenge (opposed to the game versus Ebbsfleet) but we're back at home and we have to make sure we turn up.

"We have to shake the stiffness off and prepare for Monday because we're going to need a big shift again.

"In terms of being at home, and getting that feel-good factor back on our patch is something really important and that we're really looking forward to."