MATCH PREVIEW | OXFORD CITY V WORTHING
Oxford City look to continue their unbeaten run in 2023, against Welling United on Saturday, to help solidify a play-off position (3pm kick-off).
COUNTDOWN TO KICK-OFF
Following another impressive win at home to Welling United, Oxford City face another tough challenge as they welcome promotion rivals Worthing to the Raw Charging Stadium.
Only one place separates the two sides in the Vanarama National League South heading into this crunch fixture, with the Hoops sitting in fourth place following their Welling triumph in which Nottingham Forest loanee, Adnan Kanuric kept a first clean sheet in City colours whilst January VNLS Player of the Month, Josh Parker, netted his sixth in as many league games.
The Rebels arrive in fifth after suffering a narrow defeat in a nine-goal thriller at home to St Albans City in which the Saints ran away with a 5-4 win. The fixture is an enticing encounter with both sides striving to strengthen their play-off ambitions.
City will be hoping to pull away from their promotion rivals with a victory with the potential to move up to third if results favour them and they capitalise.
LAST TIME OUT:
In the last meeting between the two sides, Ross Jenkins’ side were left frustrated by Worthing, who snatched all three points as City were left to rue missed chances at the Crucial Environmental Stadium.
City had every right to feel that luck was not on their side in a game where they struck the post on three occasions and were denied by the crossbar late on. Despite the creativity and persistence of City throughout, it was Callum Kealy – who has since joined Havant & Waterlooville – who tapped in on the 63rd minute for the Rebels sealing all three points on the night.
FORM:
OXFORD CITY
Form: D W W W W
Since the turn of the new year, City have emerged as one of the form sides with a seven-game unbeaten streak – a run that includes five wins and two draws.
Last Weekend’s victory over Welling only cemented City’s pursuit of a play-off finish in the VNLS this season continuing a winning run of four wins on the bounce.
With confidence high in the camp, Jenkins’ side will need to use it to their strengths in the face of a challenging visit from a Worthing side looking to close the gap between the two sides knowing that they also have a game in hand on the home side.
WELLING UNITED
Form: W W W L L
On the contrary, Worthing have experienced a dip in form following consecutive defeats against Tonbridge Angels and St Albans.
Prior to a lapse in form, Adam Hinshelwood’s side had been on an impressive run of their own, accumulating an eight-game unbeaten streak in all competitions. A feat that lead to the manager winning the league's Manager of the Month award.
The West Sussex side run included a significant scalp over second-placed Dartford.
Despite having a game in hand on City, Worthing will not want to fall to a second promotion rival in consecutive weeks following the defeat to the Saints which could provide extra incentive to get a result at the Raw Charging Stadium in the upcoming encounter.
ONE TO WATCH: Ollie Pearce
For a Worthing side competing for a play-off place in the VNLS, Ollie Pearce could prove to be their main outlet in the fixture.
The striker currently has 12 goals to his name so far this season in the VNLS across 30 appearances – the same tally as Oxford City’s own talisman Josh Parker.
The former Bognor Regis Town forward was on target twice in the defeat to St Albans adding his tally in the New Year to six goals with the Rebels. With Saturday’s visitors looking to bounce back from consecutive defeats, Pearce could spearhead the side’s push for a result in Oxford.
TICKETS:
Join us at the RAW Charging Stadium for what is bound to be an interesting clash. You can make a saving when you buy your ticket online via the following link HERE.
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