Match Preview | Oxford City v Woking
City ready for Quarter-Final clash with Woking.
Oxford City look to move one step closer to Wembley as they host National League opponents Woking to The MGroup Stadium for the Quarter Final of the Isuzu FA Trophy on Saturday (3pm KO).
City have put in a couple of impressive displays against tough opposition. They are coming off back-to-back 0-0 draws against Scunthorpe and Chester, games which they feel they could have taken more from.
Woking sit 16th in the Vanarama National League, six points above the drop zone but are in some impressive form as they haven't lost in the last four games.
The two sides faced each other last season in the National League and when the Hoops hosted Woking, goals from Zac McEachran, Oliver Sanderson and Josh Parker earned City all three points.
With City struggling to move up the league table it will be a welcomed break as they can turn their attention toward the cup.
FIXTURE DETAILS
Oxford City v Woking
The MGroup Stadium – Saturday 1st March – 3:00pm
Isuzu FA Trophy
Referee: Richard Eley Assistant Referees: Steve Durnall & Niall Felton Fourth Official: Jack Bloxham
HOW WE GOT HERE
OXFORD CITY
City defeated Sporting Khalsa comprehensively in the second round, their first game in this competition. Goals from Parker, Croker, McEachran, Carbon and Scott gave the Hoops a 5-0 victory.
Hadley were the next opposition to come to the MGroup Stadium and McEachran was on point again in the first minute to give City an early lead. A Hadley penalty brought them back level before Corie Andrews sealed City’s victory and took them to the fourth round.
City travelled to Biggleswade earlier in the month and won 3-0 with Parker, Burley and Andrews getting themselves on the scoresheet.
In the Round of 16, City held off favourites Forest Green as their resilient defensive performance earned City a 1-0 win and a place in the Quarter Finals.
WOKING
The Cards narrowly edged Havant and Waterlooville in the 3rd round as the game finished 3-3 after 90 minutes. Woking went on to win the penalty shootout 4-2.
It was a smoother progression in the 4th Round as they hosted Radcliffe and a Lewis Walker brace propelled them through to the Round of 16 with a 4-0 win.
The Cards' first away trip of the competition came against Gainsborough. It was another comfortable victory against weaker opposition as they ran away with a 3-0 victory.
THE MANAGER - NEAL ARDLEY
Ardley enjoyed an illustrious playing career which includes over 200 appearances for Wimbledon, 100 appearances for Watford and an England U21 Cap.
Ardley retired from playing due to injuries he had sustained but wasted no time in getting into management. On the same day as his retirement he joined Cardiff City as the Youth Team manager.
He would eventually return to his former club, Wimbledon as the manager. He was in charge of the side for the first ever meeting with MK Dons, and a last-minute injury time goal saw Wimbledon lose 2-1.
Some of Ardley's career highlights include reaching play-off finals with Notts County in 2020, Solihull Moors in 2021 as well as gaining promotion to EFL League One with AFC Wimbledon in 2016.
ONE TO WATCH - JUNIOR MORIAS
Morias came through the Wycombe Wanderers academy, making 27 appearances before leaving for Boreham Wood, after a successful loan spell with the Wood was made permanent.
He then moved to St Albans City, where 11 goals in 23 games saw League One Peterborough United swoop in for his services. Spells with Northampton Town and St Mirren would follow, including a return on loan to Boreham Wood before signing permanently with then-National League side Kings Lynn Town.
He made just eight appearances for the Linnets before Dagenham & Redbridge paid a fee to take him to East London. With 13 goals in 2021-22, including National League Player of the Month for April 2022 with six goals in six games, Morias bagged 13 times for the Daggers the following season before Notts County signed him in March 2023. He would actually make his debut against the Cards in April 2023 with a 3-0 win as Notts went on to gain promotion via the playoffs.
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE PARTNERS
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