Match Preview | Oxford City v Peterborough Sports
Hoops look to kick-start their Vanarama National League North campaign.
Oxford City finally have their first win of the season after Saturday's 6-0 thumping of Willand Rovers in the Emirates FA Cup. However, now Sam Cox and the squad are chasing that elusive first league victory.
Peterborough Sports are next up, and they'll be looking to extend the buffer between themselves and the Hoops.
The international break perhaps came at the wrong time for City, who were hard done by not to take all three points against Chorley in OX3 in the final match before the two-week hiatus. Nevertheless, the break will have spurred City's players on to break their duck in the league.
City and Sports have previous. An Izusu FA Trophy tie in the COVID lockdown saw City run out 2-0 victors, a repeat of that result on Tuesday evening would do just the trick.
FIXTURE DETAILS
Oxford City v Peterborough Sports
Court Place Farm - Tuesday 17th September - 19:45
Vanarama National League North
Referee: Liam Corbett | Assistants: Joseph Larkin & Craig Thompson | Fourth Official: Luke Scott
RECENT FORM
*League Only
OXFORD CITY - D L L L D
City will be buoyed by Saturday's FA Cup win over Willand Rovers but at 7:45 on Tuesday evening, that will be a distant memory.
The Hoops' last match in the league seems like an age ago, as they were held at home to Chorley in controversial circumstances.
Nevertheless, over the international break, Chorley went on to win both of their fixtures against Brackley Town and Kidderminster Harriers. Quite the achievement.
If City can keep performing the way they did during that 2-2 draw, a win isn't too far away.
PETERBOROUGH SPORTS - D W W L L
Sports were tipped by many to be in the relegation dog fight, but impressive wins over Buxton and King's Lynn in their last five matches have given them a solid start to the campaign.
They come into this fixture on the back of two defeats to Chester (3-0) and Brackley (2-0), but that's no disgrace.
A win for Sports, even at this early stage of the season, would be huge. Moreover, their form shows that the Turbines are slightly better away from home this season.
TEAM NEWS
Corie Andrews & Cole Kpekawa are both back and available for selection after serving their one-match suspensions in Saturday's FA Cup tie.
Louis Walsh scored four goals in City's FA Cup win which will no doubt give Manager Sam Cox a selection headache going into the match.
THE GAFFER'S THOUGHTS
We spoke to Manager Sam Cox ahead of Saturday's match. Read what he said by clicking HERE.
ONE TO WATCH - Dan Jarvis
Jarvis is Sports' top scorer so far this season and signed with the Turbines during the 2020/21 season. Jarvis played for Peterborough United from the age of 8 all the way through to a full scholarship.
When signed to Sports, DJ was described as the perfect signing, who is young, athletic and has a great work ethic.
Since then, fans will agree that this has proved to be the case as Dan has become a fan favourite who gives his all in every game that he plays. A key contributor to the squad in many ways, not only can he play in midfield, but also attack and defence when required.
He is also partial to scoring a few ‘worldies’ from time to time. Dan Jarvis is signed and confirmed for the 2024/25 Season.
THE MANAGER - Luke Steele
Manager Luke Steele will be best known for being an ex-professional goalkeeper who has played at the highest level, both in England and across Europe.
He notably made over 200 appearances for Barnsley and also 66 appearances for Greek side Panathinaikos, playing in the Europa League.
Since returning to his hometown of Peterborough, Steele has played locally for a number of clubs as a striker, including at Deeping Rangers where he was a first team regular.
Luke manages the Turbines alongside Michael Gash looking to steer the side to the National League having finished 15th in the National League North 2023/24 Season.
Luke and the team are determined to finish closer to the top 5 of the National League North going into the 2024/25 Season.
