Match Preview | Oxford City v Forest Green Rovers
Competition favourites next up in the Isuzu FA Trophy.
The March to the Arch continues the weekend for Oxford City as they host National League opponents in Forest Green in the Round of 16 in the Isuzu FA Trophy.
Forest Green currently sit second in the National League having not lost in the league since the 24th September.
Jenkins is hoping for a reaction after the loss in midweek and a victory over a side that look set to return to the football league would the statement he’s looking for.
This is the first time the sides have met in their history.
FIXTURE DETAILS
Oxford City v Forest Green Rovers
The MGroup Stadium – Saturday 1st February – 3:00pm
Isuzu FA Trophy Fifth Round
Referee: Greg Rollason Assitant Referees: Alistair Nelson & Marc Wilson Fourth Official: Harry Warner
HOW WE GOT HERE
OXFORD CITY
City defeated Sporting Khalsa comprehensively in the second round, their first game in this competition. Goals from Parker, Croker, McEachran, Carbon and Scott gave the Hoops a 5-0 victory.
Hadley were the next opposition to come to the MGroup Stadium and McEachran was on point again in the first minute to give City an early lead.
A Hadley penalty brought them back level before Corie Andrews sealed City’s victory and took them to the fourth round.
City travelled to Biggleswade earlier in the month and won 3-0 with Parker, Burley and Andrews getting themselves on the scoresheet.
FOREST GREEN ROVERS
Forest Green didn’t enter the competition until the 3rd round when they played Braintree. They won on penalties after regulation time ended 1-1.
Prior to this win, they had been knocked out in the FA Cup after a late defeat to Stockport County. Kyle Wootton’s goal in the 97th minute sealed the defeat in extra time for the Green.
Forest Green’s last victory in the FA Trophy was a 2-0 victory over Chorley at The New Lawn Stadium.
A Joe Quigley brace was more than enough to see the National League side progress to the fixture against Oxford City.
THE MANAGER - Steve Cotterill
Cotterill had a nine-year playing career for Burton Albion, Wimbledon, Brighton and Hove Albion and AFC Bournemouth before deciding to go into management.
With six years of management under his belt he moved to Stoke City in 2002. His side went on a five-game unbeaten run before he announced his shock resignation to join Sunderland as Howard Wilkinson’s assistant.
Cotterill also managed Burnley, Notts County, Portsmouth, Nottingham Forest, Bristol City, Birmingham City, Shrewsbury before finding himself at Forest Green Rover.
He joined the Green when they were bottom of League Two and hadn’t won in twelve games. He couldn’t prevent relegation but looks set to take them back up this year.
ONE TO WATCH - Liam Sercombe
Forest Green’s new midfield maestro Liam Sercombe knows his way around Oxford having played for United for two years. He joined the Yellows after playing nearly 250 games for his childhood club, Exeter City.
He appeared for Wembley in the 2016 Football League Trophy Final and scored the only goal for side in the same competition’s final the following year. He lost both of them.
He joined Bristol City sand Cheltenham Town before moving to Forest Green at the beginning of 2024. He’s netted four times in the National League this year.
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