MATCH PREVIEW | OXFORD CITY V ST ALBANS

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MATCH PREVIEW | OXFORD CITY V ST ALBANS

Oxford City Media Team • January 5, 2023

Oxford City will look to pick up their first three points of 2023 as they entertain fellow Vanarama National League South promotion hopefuls St Albans City at the RAW Charging Stadium on Saturday (3pm).

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Ross Jenkins’ side will be looking put a disappointing draw to Slough behind them and put together a good run ahead of a tough run of fixtures.

However, to do that they will need to be at their best against a St Albans side who are in tremendous form and haven’t been beaten in five games, recording four wins and a draw in that run.

LAST TIME OUT:

City and the Saints last met on the second game of this season and it was City who came out of that game with the three points after Josh Ashby's superb goal.

After a super switch of play from Reece Fleet, his midfield partner touched the ball out of his feet and drilled a thunderous effort into the corner of the net from 25-yards out.

FORM:

OXFORD CITY

Form: DDWLD

A difficult festive period put an end to City's unbeaten run but the Hoops shouldn't let them discourage their play-off push.

After the recent defeat and last-minute draw to Slough, City have slipped to eighth in National League South but not too long ago Ross Jenkins' side put five goals past Chippenham.

Saturday's fixture gives the Hoops a great chance to stamp their authority on the league and a win would put City level on points with Saturday's visitors.

ST ALBANS

Form: WDWWW

St Albans just missed out on the play-offs last season, but this year is looking like it could be very different for the Saints.

A positive run of results has catapulted the side to fifth in National League South and have showed no signs in letting up. A 3-0 win over Bath City set the tone in recent weeks as well as another positive win over high-flying Chelmsford with the same scoreline.

However, the most pleasing thing for Saints supporters would be their festive double over rivals Hemel Hempstead.

ONE TO WATCH: Shaun Jeffers

Fans of the National League South will be under no illusion as to who the Saints' key man is. Jeffers is not only the league's leading marksman with nineteen goals but has reached that landmark after spending a period of time on the sidelines.

Last season saw more of the same from the well-travelled striker. A tally of 34 goals in 50 games won the striker a place in the Vanarama National League South team of the season alongside City stars Josh Ashby and Ben Dudzinski. A remarkable tally which saw him contribute to 49% of the Saints' goals in the competition.

Shaun came through the youth ranks of Coventry City and went on to line up for a number of Football League sides including Peterborough United, Newport County, and Yeovil Town prior to joining Chelmsford City in the summer of 2016. Shaun helped fire the Clarets to the playoffs with 21 goals in 39 games. Spells with Boreham Wood, Hampton & Richmond and Brackley Town followed before he signed at Clarence Park in November 2019.

The Gaffer's thoughts:

“We’re going to make sure we’re ready for St Albans as the game is going to be a battle.

“The boys know their levels and they’ve been really good over the course of the season and I couldn’t ask for more from them.

“They’ve given me everything and taken it upon themselves in games to make things happen. They’ve listened and learnt in training and I think the target of where we are right now is credit to them.

“We aim for this sort of position and we’re here so now we need to make sure we stay here and move upwards.

“The boys are ready to go, training was good, the atmosphere and feel-good factor was back and we know our standards and that we need to improve ready for St Albans.”