Match Preview | Oxford City v Chester
City prepare for clash with league leaders.
Oxford City welcome Chester, who sit top of the Vanarama National League North, to The MGroup Stadium on Tuesday (7:45pm KO).
City are coming off the back of a 0-0 draw against Scunthorpe United that Manager Ross Jenkins described as a "battling performance".
The last time the sides met, the Hoops fell victim to a Tom Peers hat-trick. Jalen Jones' second half goal which cut the deficit to one wasn't enough to spark a comeback for City and the Blues won 3-1.
Chester currently sit atop the National League North and are in an imperious vein of form, winning nine of their last 11 league games, and they've only dropped seven points since the turn of the year.
City are looking to get back to winning ways and the performance on the weekend against a good Scunthorpe side proves that they are more than capable of getting something from this game.
FIXTURE DETAILS
Oxford City v Chester
The MGroup Stadium – Tuesday 25th February – 7:45pm
Vanarama National League North
Referee: Tolu Sangowawa Assistant Referees: Alex Rolfe & Benjamin Williamson Fourth Official: Daniel Lamport
Form (League Only)
OXFORD CITY - L L L L D
The Hoops will be buoyed by an impressive and robust performance against Scunthorpe United on the weekend and will be looking to carry that momentum into the midweek clash with Chester.
Ross Jenkins admitted that City may need to find their shooting boots soon and the stats concur. The Hoops have scored an average of 0.63 goals per game over the last eight games which is just over half of their season average of 1.26.
As the business end of the season approaches, City will be looking to put some distance between themselves and the relegation zone and three points against Chester would go along way to achieving that.
CHESTER - W L D W W
As one of the most in form sides in the league, having won six from their last eight league outings, Chester will be confident when they arrive at The MGroup Stadium.
They haven't lost to a side below 14th in the league this season and have only conceded five goals in their last eight games.
However, five of their seven league defeats have come away from home. They have picked up an average of 1.76 points per game on the road this season, far below the 2.06 points per game at home.
The Blues have won four of their last five away trips, beating Farsley, Peterborough, Radcliffe and Scarborough.
THE MANAGER - CALUM MCINTYRE
McIntyre is the seventh managerial appointment since Chester's reformation in 2010. He was appointed in May 2022 and was met with immediate success.
McIntyre guided Chester to third place in the National League North table before beating beaten in the Play-Off Semi Finals by Brackley Town.
He was named National League North Manager of the Season at the first time of asking – as his side went 21 matches unbeaten away and had the best defensive record in the league.
Having begun as the Blues' Academy Head Coach in 2016, McIntyre first senior management role was with Runcorn Linnets, whom he took to the play-off final in the Northern Premier Division One.
ONE TO WATCH - TOM PEERS
Peers has netted 14 times this season with the most recent coming last weekend as his goal earned the Blues a 1-0 victory over Farsley Celtic.
The striker has a proven track record at this level. He scored 24 goals in the 2022/23 season for fellow National League North side Curzon Ashton, before making the switch to Macclesfield.
The 29-year-old signed for Chester in October 2023 on an 18-month contract following his departure from the Silkmen, returning to the club he made his senior debut for almost ten years prior.
Peers made his senior debut for Chester against Braintree Town on 7th December 2013 and scored his first senior goal in the 2-0 win at FC Halifax Town the following year. His return, a decade later, has proven profitable for both parties.
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