Match Preview | Oxford City v Hereford
The lowdown on the clash with Hereford
Oxford City host Hereford on Saturday (3pm Kick Off) in the penultimate game at The MGroup Stadium in the Vanarama National League North this season.
City are safe and will battle to for as high a finish as possible from here on in, but Hereford are battling at the other end of the league with the possibility of play-offs a real possibility for the club.
They currently sit in 7th (the final play-off spot), and with a tough schedule to round out their season, Hereford will be coming to Oxford with a must-win mentality.
Two crunch games for Paul Caddis' side against City and then Leamington are followed by clashes with title-chasing Scunthorpe United & Kidderminster Harriers. The table is getting tighter around Hereford too, so three points on Saturday would put them in a solid position for the end of season lottery.
However, defeat would leave a real sour taste in the mouth of the hundreds of Hereford fans expected to travel to the MGroup Stadium, and open the door wide for the chasing pack to leapfrog them.
City's 2-2 draw against Southport extended their unbeaten run to seven and the only blemish over the last ten games was the unspeakable events from the Buxton game.
Last time we played the Bulls, earlier in the season, Kai McKenzie-Lyle made a fantastic save to keep the score at 0-0 and late goals from Josh Ashby and Josh Parker sealed a 2-0 victory over 10-man Hereford.
With just two games remaining at The MGroup Stadium, chances to watch the in-form Hoops are running out and this will be a game you do not want to miss.
A packed out Stadium in the glorious sunshine: what could be better?
FIXTURE DETAILS
Oxford City v Hereford
The MGroup Stadium – Saturday 12th April – 3:00pm
Vanarama National League North
Referee: Darren Rogers Assistant Referees: Thomas Bingley & Stuart Lathan Fourth Official: Luke Scott
Form (League Only)
OXFORD CITY - W D W W D
City are looking to extend their finest run of form for the season. They are looking to further their unbeaten run to eight games.
City have won four of their last eight games with the only blemish on their record coming against Buxton.
The 2-2 draw against Southport and 3-1 win over Farsley Celtic were enough to secure the Hoops' safety.
City have the exact same record at The MGroup Stadium as they do away from home and with two games remaining they are looking to finish the season on a high.
HEREFORD - L L W W D
Hereford currently sit in the final playoff position with only goal difference keeping them above King's Lynn.
The Bulls have arrested their three game losing slide as they picked up wins against Curzon Ashton (3-1) and Farsley Celtic (4-0).
A 2-2 draw against Chester was enough to keep them clinging onto the playoff position but with games against Kidderminster and Scunthorpe looming on the horizon, this is a must win for Hereford.
LAST TIME OUT
Watch the highlights from when we last met Hereford.
THE MANAGER - PAUL CADDIS
Caddis has been in charge of The Bulls since April 2023. He signed a two-year deal and is proving to be more than capable as he took Hereford to their highest ever finish with their highest ever points total, resulting in a one-year extension.
He also enjoyed an illustrious playing career, playing more than 350 times and representing Scotland at both youth and senior level.
Caddis started his career with Scottish Premier League club Celtic. He broke into the first team during the 2007–08 season, but never managed to hold down a starting place over the next few years. He spent the second half of the 2008–09 season on loan to Dundee United. Caddis was sold to English League One club Swindon Town in August 2010.
He spent the 2012–13 season on loan to Birmingham City, joined the club on a permanent contract in September 2013, and in the final match of that season, he scored the stoppage-time goal that saved the team from relegation from the Championship.
ONE TO WATCH - YUSIFU CEESAY
Ceesay netted his ninth and tenth for the season during the wins over Farsley Celtic and Curzon Ashton. He scored the fourth against Farsley and the put the nail in the coffin against Curzon to seal the 3-1 victory.
He also has seven assists to go along with his tidy goal tally for the season.
The 30-year-old has real non-league and National League experience having played for Alvechurch, Boston United, Telford, Nuneaton, Kidderminster and Alfreton before joining Hereford in 2023.
The Gambian is a real threat on the left wing and will use his size and strength to bully defenders.
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