Match Preview | Oxford City v Gosport Borough
Ross Jenkins returns to the dugout as Oxford City take on Gosport Borough.
They say a week is a long time in football, but for Oxford City it's been a hectic 24 hours.
Sam Cox's tenure at Court Place Farm came to an end on Friday morning, but as one door closes another opens. City moved swiftly to re-appoint Ross Jenkins as Manager after he departed Boreham Wood just a few weeks ago.
Moreover, he'll have to hit the ground running as we welcome Gosport Borough side to Court Place Farm in the Emirates FA Cup Third Round Qualifying.
The Boro currently sit 15th in the Southern Premier Division (step three of the non-league pyramid), but they're proving to be a tough nut to crack in a highly competitive division.
The FA Cup's influence on non-league teams can never be underestimated, and both clubs are just two wins away from a potential money-spinning First Round tie.
This is the third time that the two clubs have been drawn against each other in the FA Cup, with the Hoops winning the last two ties. City will be hoping for more of the same this weekend in more ways than one.
FIXTURE DETAILS
Oxford City v Gosport Borough
Court Place Farm - Saturday 28th September - 15:00
Emirates FA Cup Third Round Qualifying
Referee: Matthew Jackson Assistants: Simon Parbery & Daniel Miller Fourth Official: Peter Kwak
How we got here
OXFORD CITY
2nd Round Qual - Oxford City 6-0 Willand Rovers
Tuesday evening's 4-1 defeat to Leamington brought an end to Sam Cox's tenure as Oxford City Manager.
The Hoops have struggled with their return to step two, but will be hoping that the arrival of Ross Jenkins will spur the team on to secure a victory in the cup.
City cruised past Willand Rovers to reach this stage of the competition, with Louis Walsh scoring four goals on that occasion.
GOSPORT BOROUGH
2nd Round Qual (R) - Gosport Borough 2-0 Gloucester City
2nd Round Qual - Gloucester City 2-2 Gosport Borough
1st Round Qual - Gosport Borough 4-0 Andover New Street
It took two attempts for Gosport to secure their passage through to the 3rd Qualifying Round of the FA Cup.
A tight draw away at Gloucester City set-up a replay which extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to seven matches.
On Tuesday evening, that run came to an end away at Wimborne Town, but they'll be hoping for a cupset this weekend.
Borough haven't made it to the 4th Qualifying Round of this competition in a decade. They'll be looking to change that.
THE GAFFER'S THOUGHTS
New Manager Ross Jenkins previews Saturday's clash.
ONE TO WATCH - Alfie Stanley
After joining the club from AFC Totton in the summer, Alfie Stanley has had a red-hot start to life with the club.
Doubles against Tiverton and Basingstoke has put him at the top of Gosport's goalscoring charts this season.
Stanley came through the youth ranks at Portsmouth and made his debut in the EFL Trophy against West Ham U21's. After leaving Fratton Park, he had a fruitful spell with Dorchester Town from 2021-23.
His solid form earned him a move to AFC Totton last season before making the switch to Gosport.
THE MANAGER - Pat Suraci
Suraci is joint Manager at Gosport alongside Joe Lea. The former Petersfield boss rejoined the club in May 2023 having previously been a regular in the side alongside Lea.
A local lad, Suraci has lived in Gosport for most of his life and has been in charge of the club's centre of excellence.
