MATCH PREVIEW | OXFORD CITY VS AFC FYLDE
The Coasters travel to OX3 for the first time since 2015.
Oxford City play host to bottom of the table AFC Fylde, as they look to turn around their six-match winless streak.
The away side have struggled to pick up points following their promotion from the National League North last year, with just nine points from a possible 42 this year so far.
The Lancashire club reached the National League play-off final in 2019, losing out to Salford, before being relegated down to the National League North in the 2019-20 season. But after missing out on promotion back in 2022, the club was promoted as champions last season, racking up 95 points in the process.
However, a tough start leaves them at the foot of the table, despite stronger performances in recent weeks.
City on the other hand have slipped into the relegation zone after four straight defeats, the last of which came away against Southend, who leapfrogged them into 21st.
The Hoops will see this as a chance to pull themselves away however, and a win could see them rise as high as 18th.
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.
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.
