FIXTURE DETAILS

Oxford City vs Aldershot Town

Vanarama National League

RAW Charging Stadium | Saturday 2nd March, 15:00

Referee: Aaron Farmer    Assistants: Ciaran Barlow & Matt Eva   Fourth Official: Adam Gregory

RECENT FORM

Oxford City -  L L D L L

You have to go back to the end of January to find City's last win in the National League. A hard-fought 1-0 victory over Ebbsfleet United looked to have put City back into the survival picture.

However, a difficult February has marooned Ross Jenkins' injury-hit side to the bottom of the league table.

Last time out, a 4-0 defeat to Gateshead perhaps doesn't tell the full story.

Andre Burley's red-card was a game changer against a Gateshead team looking to force their way into the EFL. A challenge that was tough enough already with eleven-men turned out to be a step too far with ten.

There's ten matches to go in the National League, and thirty points to play for. If the Hoops are to survive, it would surely be the greatest of great escapes (with the run of fixtures). However, it's not impossible!

Aldershot Town - W L W W L

Aldershot's season has been one to remember for their fans. A play-off chase combined with an impressive FA Cup run has made the EBB Stadium a very positive place to be this season.

Perhaps City fans saw a sign of things to come in this season's opening fixture, when the Hoops were beaten 5-2 at Aldershot.

However, Tommy Widdrington's team will have to continue their positive form if they're to hang onto their play off spot.

Aldershot currently occupy the last play-off place (7th), but defeat last time out against Southend means that FC Halifax & Altrincham are breathing down their necks.

They'll need to quickly put the wrongs of Saturday's 4-1 defeat at Roots Hall behind them, because stuttering form at this stage of the season could spell disaster.

Three points are a must for Saturday's visitors.

ONE TO WATCH - Josh Stokes

It's safe to say that Josh Stokes has lit up the National League this season.

The first sighter that supporters had of Stokes was against the Hoops on the opening day of the season. His tidy finish just after the interval put the game beyond doubt in the 5-2 loss for Ross Jenkins' side.

Since then, Stokes has gone on to score fourteen goals this season, a tally that has him ranked in joint tenth position in the National League goalscoring charts.

If it wasn't for the form of teammate Lorent Tolaj, he'd be Aldershot's top scorer this season.

However, alongside goals and man of the match performances comes the eyes of EFL clubs and Bristol City were quick to swoop in to secure Stokes' signature in January.

Luckily for the Shots, Stokes has re-joined the club on loan to finish the season, and he could be a key component to Aldershot's play-off chances this season.

LAST TIME OUT

City received a rude awakening in the National League in this season's curtain-raiser.

A 5-2 defeat perhaps signalled how tough this season was going to be.

Alfie Potter scored City's first ever National League goal before Josh Parker grabbed a late consolation for the Hoops.

Jack Barham, Haji Mnoga, Loren Tolaj (x2) & Josh Stokes grabbed the goals for the hosts.

THE MANAGER - Tommy Widdrington

Tommy Widdrington joined Aldershot last season from National League North side Kings Lynn, and helped the Shots survive in the division last season.

This season, he's led Aldershot to the brink of the play-offs and now the team look like a good bet to leave the division in the right way (unlike previous seasons).

Since taking over at Aldershot, Widdrington has guided his side to the Third Round of the FA Cup after big wins over EFL opposition in Swindon Town & Stockport County. Eventually, they came unstuck away at West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns, which is no disgrace.

In November, Aldershot's red-hot form earned the manager a new contract, and if he can lead the Shots to the play-offs, they'll have every chance of upsetting the odds.

HOW TO FOLLOW

FOLLOW THE ACTION:

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

LIVE COMMENTARY ON BBC SOUNDS

This match will have LIVE commentary on BBC Sounds curtesy of BBC Radio Oxford. Simply tune in to BBC Radio Oxford on the BBC Sounds app, or head to the non-league commentary page HERE.

INTERNATIONAL STREAMING ON NATIONAL LEAGUE TV:

This match will be available for international streaming via NLTV, click the link HERE to buy your match pass!

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