MATCH PREVIEW | OXFORD CITY V WEYMOUTH
Oxford City aim to solidify their play-off position ahead of their Vanarama National League South encounter with Weymouth on Saturday (3pm kick-off).
COUNTDOWN TO KICK-OFF
A strong showing saw Oxford City dig deep to hold on for all three points in a 2-1 win at Concord Rangers last weekend, extending their unbeaten run to four games in the league since Boxing Day.
The Hoops also tasted victory yet again in an emphatic midweek win over Oxford United in the Oxfordshire Senior Cup which saw the National League South side progress to the semi-finals with a 4-2 win.
However, City’s attention turns back to the league at the Raw Charging Stadium on Saturday ahead of a visit from a struggling Weymouth side determined to bounce back from a narrow defeat against Chelmsford City.
LAST TIME OUT:
The first meeting between the two sides earlier in the season makes for positive reading for City who ran away victorious with a 2-0 win against the Terras.
In what was a strongly contested game between the two sides, a stunning Lewis Coyle strike from range and a second half Klaidi Lolos penalty secured the three points for City on the road.
Ben Dudzinski was responsible for denying a Weymouth penalty late on to ensure the Hoops kept a clean sheet sealing a solid victory at the Bob Lucas Stadium. Ross Jenkins will be hoping his side can replicate a similar performance, if not better.
FORM:
WEYMOUTH
Form: LDWDW
The Dorset side, like many others, have felt the effects of the fixture postponements and find themselves currently battling for survival following a string of defeats.
First Team coach Bobby Wilkinson recently penned a new contract at the club until 2026 with the board showing strong backing for Wilkinson in their bid for survival.
However, the former VNLS play-off winners have struggled to pick up points in recent fixtures with the club’s last league win coming in December away to Worthing. A streak of four consecutive defeats leaves Wilkinson’s side three points off the foot of the league table above bottom side Hungerford Town.
Weymouth’s most recent defeat came in devastating fashion as promotion-chasing Chelmsford City struck late on to seal all three points. The Terras will be hoping to draw on the positives from the defeat on their visit to the Raw Charging Stadium.
OXFORD CITY
Form: LDWDW
On the contrary, City have been more fortunate over the winter period so far with games going ahead despite threats of postponement across the VNSL.
Jenkins’ side continued their impressive run following a hard-fought win against the Beach Boys in the last outing – a run which has seen just one defeat in thirteen league games showing a tenacity in the side pursuing promotion. Alfie Potter and Zac McEachran were on the scoresheet for the visit to Canvey Island.
The Hoops are unbeaten in four and will likely be favoured against a Weymouth side struggling for form as they hope to build on their impressive run transitioning into the second half of the season.
ONE TO WATCH: Bradley Ash
Spearheading the Weymouth attack, Bradley Ash could prove to be the main attacking threat for the visitors. The striker currently has eight goals to his name so far in the 2022/23 season across a total of 24 appearances.
The 26-year-old came through the ranks with Weston-super Mare whilst also featuring for Boreham Wood before a move from Chippenham to Weymouth in 2021.
The forward was on target against Chelmsford in their last game week and also netted a hattrick against Tonbridge Angels earlier in the season.
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