MATCH PREVIEW | OXFORD CITY V CHESHUNT
Oxford City return to the RAW Charging Stadium after a triumphant away trip to Hemel Hempstead last weekend saw the Hoops score three goals, and take all three points home with them - moving up to third place in the process.
COUNTDOWN TO KICK-OFF
City face a revitalised Cheshunt side who are undefeated in their last four games, and hoping to climb out of National League South’s dreaded drop-zone.
Josh Parker & Andre Burley have been called up for international duty but are eligible to play in the game.
LAST TIME OUT:
A late winner from wing-back Aaron William-Bushell saw City leave Theobalds Lane with all three points when the sides met back in November.
City took a late first-half lead through Tom Harrison, who nodded home his first Hoops goal from close range after a headed flick-on from Canice Carroll.
Eventually, the hosts fought back and found an equaliser 18 minutes into the second half, when skipper Reece Beckles-Richards latched onto a well-placed through ball, firing a powerful first-time finish past Dudzinski.
City struggled to keep a hold of the closing stages, but right at the death, an inch-perfect pass from Reece Fleet found the onrushing Aaron William-Bushell, who raced behind the Cheshunt backline and kept his cool to secure an all-important Hoops victory.
FORM:
OXFORD CITY
Form: D D L D W
Oxford City got back to winning ways on Saturday away to a Hemel Hempstead Town side who - under Brad Quinton - looked to have found form in recent weeks. Comfortable victors, City struck early on through Josh Parker, before a well-taken Josh Ashby goal - and a second for Parker - swept Hemel aside in the second half to seal a 3-0 win.
Prior to the weekend’s success, The Hoops had been struggling for winning form of late, with three draws and a defeat in the team’s previous four matches. But with the momentum of a win and clean sheet, City will now be hoping to back up Saturday’s result with three points and a massive home victory.
However, points picked up away at Dartford & Taunton aren't to be sneered at! The task will now be to see if Ross Jenkins' side can string together back-to-back wins once again, to give the Hoops an edge in the race for the top three.
CHESHUNT
Form: L W D W D
In what was a difficult start to 2023, Cheshunt drew five of the year’s first six fixtures, and didn’t pick up a win until late February.
Since then, however, Craig Edward’s side have found relative consistency, with two wins and two draws in their recent four matches. The Ambers have also solidified themselves defensively, with three clean sheets out of four, conceding just once in that time.
Huge wins against Eastbourne and Dover recently have propelled them up the division, whereas equally impressive draws against high-flying Havant & Waterlooville and a tricky Taunton team, makes them a difficult outfit in the division.
Cheshunt, currently on the verge of moving out of the VNLS’ relegation zone, in 21st place, will no doubt be fighting for every point until the end of the season, and their trip to Oxford City on Saturday is sure to be no exception.
ONE TO WATCH: Reece Beckles-Richards
A fans’ favourite at Theobalds Lane, Beckles-Richards joined on loan from Wealdstone in 2019 and notched an impressive 11 goals in 22 appearances. The 27-year-old forward joined the Ambers permanently at the end of 2020, and is well-known amongst the Cheshunt faithful as a scorer of important goals.
Scorer of Cheshunt’s only goal in the reverse fixture with City, Beckles-Richards leads the team as both the club’s captain and top goalscorer, with six goals.
Cheshunt will be hoping that the Antigua & Barbuda international adds to his scoring tally between now and the end of the season, as the Hertfordshire-based side bid to remain in the National League South for a second campaign.
THE GAFFER'S THOUGHTS:
“From our point of view, we’ve got to expect anything.
“We’ve got to expect either a low block or a high press, expect them slowing the game down or speeding it up.
“Sometimes it comes down to us worrying about what we can do and putting our gameplan onto the team and so far that’s worked.
“But I think the big challenge is that we’re prepared physically and mentally for the challenge first before the football even comes into play. So the tactics board won’t come into play until the minimum requirement being maximum effort is met.
“Cheshunt are fighting for the points as much as we are at the top so it’s important that we address it properly and its going to be a battle and I know that for sure."
HOW TO FOLLOW THE GAME:
Come and support the lads at the RAW Charging Stadium tomorrow at 3pm! Click HERE to buy your tickets and make a saving whilst doing so.
Twitter: @OxCityFC
Facebook: Oxford City FC
Instagram: @oxcityfc
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE PARTNERS
OUR PARTNERS
