Match Preview | Oxford City v Scarborough Athletic
Hoops look ahead to Seadogs clash.
Oxford City host Scarborough Athletic on Saturday in the Vanarama National League North as the Hoops look to continue their fine run of form.
City defeated Hereford on Tuesday night at Edgar Street with two late goals to make it three wins in a row on the road.
Scarborough Athletic come into the game off the back of some disappointing results with just the one win in the previous five games but Oxford City Manager Ross Jenkins is well aware of the strengths of Scarborough and the challenges they will pose.
City’s goalscoring record in recent weeks has much improved and the form of McKenzie-Lyle in goal has been outstanding. City will look to keep both these fine records going on Saturday against tough opposition who will be looking to finish in the top seven come April.
FIXTURE DETAILS
Oxford City v Scarborough Athletic
Court Place Farm – Saturday 9th November – 15:00
Vanarama National League North
Referee: Lewis Dawson | Assistants: Thomas Holden & Thomas Green | Fourth Official: Harry Price
Form
OXFORD CITY - W L W D W
Based on the last five league games, City are third in the league, yet their early season form has confined them to the bottom end of the league. The recent form though has given Ross Jenkins and his players reason to believe they can push themselves right up the league table.
The one blemish on the recent record is the loss to King’s Lynn but they’ve managed to climb out the bottom four and they now have the opportunity put some distance between themselves and the relegation zone.
Late goals from Josh Ashby and Josh Parker and an incredible low save from Kai McKenzie-Lyle in the win on Tuesday over Hereford reinforce the idea that City’s training is paying dividends.
The home form is still a cause for concern for the Hoops. They have only managed six points in the seven games at Court Place Farm this season, but if they can carry their
away form back to Oxford, the Hoops should have more than enough to see off Scarborough.
SCARBOROUGH - D L L W L
Scarborough have just one win in the last five league games, which came away from home against Marine.
Since their blistering start to the campaign with 3 wins in the first four games, Scarborough have faltered of late. Tuesday’s defeat against in-form Buxton is not to be sneered at, but it's a run of form that Jonathan Greening will want to change quickly.
More concerningly for Scarborough, they have only scored three times in their previous five games whilst letting seven goals in at the other end.
Away from home, Scarborough have a respectable record with two wins and three draws in the seven games and have managed to net 10 times during those games. They will be hoping to get back to their early season form when they venture down to Oxford on Saturday.
ONE TO WATCH - Dom Tear
Dom Tear was Scarborough’s Player of the Month, as voted for by fans and with 10 goals in all competitions this season, it’s easy to see why. He got the winner for Boro in the win against Marine, but that was his only league goal in October.
He bagged a brace in the final round of FA Cup Qualification against Chester and his dip in goals is likely a symptom of Scarborough’s recent struggles with form.
The 25-year-old signed for Scarborough in 2022 having moved from Guiseley. He began his career in the Huddersfield academy before a permanent move to Halifax Town.
Tear also has experience at the National League North level having played for Gateshead and Blyth Spartans. The winger will be crucial for Scarborough going forward on Saturday.
THE MANAGER - Jonathan Greening
Scarborough appointed Jonathan Greening in 2021. His first season in charge of the Seadogs he led them to promotion from the Northern Premier League. It was also Greening’s first role as head coach.
He had previously coached the academy team at York City and Tadcaster Albion, where his younger brother played.
Greening enjoyed an illustrious playing career. He came through the ranks at York City to play for their first team before a big move to Manchester United in 1998. During this period, he was on the bench for the famous 1999 Champions League final.
From United, Greening moved to Middlesborough where he received an England call-up. Greening also played nearly 200 times for West Brom before moves to Fulham and Nottingham Forest.
HOW TO FOLLOW
FOLLOW THE ACTION:
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The game will also feature as a live commentary on BBC Radio Oxford via BBC Sounds or the BBC Sport Website.
