FIXTURE DETAILS

 Oxford City vs AFC Fylde

Vanarama National League

The RAW Charging Stadium, Marston, Oxford

Saturday 7th October, 15:00

Referee: Gary Parsons | Assistants: Ryan McIlravey & Luis Martin | Fourth Official: Adam Gregory

TEAM NEWS

The Hoops have struggled with injuries to key players in recent weeks. Josh Ashby and Lewis Miccio were both unable to make the travelling squad on Tuesday, and Nya Kirby was taken off as a precaution during Tuesday evening's defeat at Southend United.

Alfie Potter also returned to the squad on Tuesday, and will be hoping to get some more minutes under his belt on Saturday.

The away side have also had their own injury problems in the last couple of weeks, with players out with illness.

Fylde skipper Alex Whitmore missed the midweek game with an injury he sustained last weekend, whereas Siya Ligendza also picked up two yellow cards in the space of 10 minutes against Barnet on Tuesday, so will miss the game due to suspension.

RECENT FORM

Oxford City - D L L L L

City are currently on their worst run of the season so far. Heavy defeats at the hands of Oldham and Gateshead, followed by a late defeat at Altrincham last weekend and the midweek loss at Southend, mean that the Hoops are now 22nd in the table.

However, the Hoops have shown that they have enough quality to compete at points this season, and will be hoping this is just a rocky patch.

AFC Fylde - L W D L L

Fylde were undone by a red card last time out against promotion hopefuls Barnet.



They took the lead with a spectacular volley from Danny Whitehead within 30 seconds, but Ligendza’s red card turned the game on it’s head, and Fylde suffered defeat due to a late goal by Nicke Kabamba.

Manager Adam Murray said in his post-match that they would’ve picked up victory against Barnet had they not gone down to 10 men, so the Coasters will be looking to rectify that with three points, which would see them go above City.

However, Fylde have picked up one win in their last five games, and that was a 2-1 victory away against City's last opponents Southend. This was their second victory of the season, and Murray's squad will be looking for number three on Saturday afternoon.

ONE TO WATCH - Taelor O’Kane

Having only turned 18 in August, midfielder Taelor O’Kane is one to look out for in the future.

The midfielder recently won Fylde’s Player of the Month award for September, after bursting onto the scene with a goal in his second ever senior appearance against Dagenham & Redbridge at the start of the month.

He scored again in Fylde’s victory against Southend a few weeks back, and has started every game since.

An academy graduate who joined the club three years ago, O’Kane captained the u18 side to a Lancashire County Cup win last year, before signing a professional contract in the summer.

He has been one of the bright sparks in the Fylde side since being introduced to senior football, and has been praised heavily by boss Adam Murray.

Taelor’s father, John O’Kane, also played professionally for Everton and Manchester United.

*Image curtesy of AFC Fylde

HAVE WE MET BEFORE?

The most recent games between the sides came in the 2014/15 season, where both teams were in the National League North.

Fylde were heavy winners in the first meeting between the sides, running out 8-1 winners, with Darren Pond on the scoresheet for the Hoops.

The return fixture was a tighter affair, but Fylde still came away with three points after a 2-1 victory, this time Tom Winters scoring for City.

THE MANAGER - Adam Murray

Adam Murray took charge of AFC Fylde in November last year, guiding them to promotion from National League North.

But prior to his managerial days, Murray made appearances as a player in all four top divisions, over a 15 year career.

Born in Birmingham, Murray appeared for England u20’s before making his Premier League debut for Derby County in 1999. He played 62 games over six seasons for the Rams, with loan spells at Mansfield and Kidderminster, before leaving for Mansfield permanently in 2004, and then Carlisle in 2005.

He won promotion with Carlisle back to the Football League that season, before going one better and winning League Two the next year.

Eventually in 2008, Murray joined Oxford United, making 97 appearances in two and a half years and even captaining the side.

Murray then returned to Mansfield for a fourth spell, before hanging up his boots in 2015.

His first coaching role was as Mansfield's Assistant Manager, a role which became permanent after the sacking of Paul Cox.

He guided the side to safety in both the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons, before becoming Boston United manager for the following season.

He oversaw a mid-table finish there, before taking on assistant roles at Burton, Barnsley (where he held a caretaker manager role for nearly a year), West Brom, Port Vale, and most recently, Besiktas.

He currently holds a massively impressive 50%-win rate as Fylde boss.

HOW TO FOLLOW

FOLLOW THE ACTION:

Stay tuned to our official Twitter page for all the build-up, regular updates and post-match action.

NATIONAL LEAGUE TV:

This game will be available for international streaming via National League TV. You can buy a match pass by clicking HERE!

Don't forget to select Oxford City as your favourite team!

AUDIO/RADIO COMMENTARY:

Can't make it to the match? BBC Radio Oxford will be providing full commentary of our match online and on the Radio!

Click HERE to head to the BBC's non-league commentary page where you'll be able to tune in at around 14:50. Or simply tune into BBC Radio Oxford on BBC Sounds.