MATCH PREVIEW | OXFORD CITY VS DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE
City look to make it three wins on the trot at home.
Dagenham & Redbridge look to bounce back from late heartbreak last time out against Chesterfield with a result at the RAW Charging Stadium this weekend.
The London side currently sit 13th in the table after overcoming a difficult start to the season to pick up valuable points in recent weeks, much like City themselves.
FIXTURE DETAILS
Oxford City vs Dagenham & Redbridge
Vanarama National League
The RAW Charging Stadium, Oxford
Saturday 16th September, 15:00
Referee: Richie Watkins Assistants: Sean Rothwell & Carl Peters Fourth Official: Daniel Lamport
OVERVIEW
After just one point from their opening four, the Daggers recorded a first victory of the season against London rivals and current league leaders Barnet on the Bank Holiday weekend.
They followed this up with comfortable victories against Wealdstone and AFC Fylde, before facing another promotion-chasing side in Chesterfield.
They took the lead in the first half, however a red card for Harry Phipps changed the game and the side ultimately fell to a 3-1 defeat, with the home side scoring two late goals.
City come into this looking to add to the imposing victories they have picked up in their last two home games, in which they have scored an incredible nine goals. They are unbeaten in five overall, with three draws on the road over this period.
In last weekend’s game, City fell behind twice in the first half, before producing a second-half flourish and sweeping promotion hopefuls Hartlepool aside 5-2.
PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Manager Ross Jenkins spoke to the www.oxfordcityfc.co.uk this week to preview Saturday's fixture.
‘They’re a good side, we know a couple of their boys from where they’ve been in recent seasons.
"It’s a tough league and for them to get a few wins under their belt shows they’re a good team. You’ve got to earn your victories in this league and they’ve shown they can do that.’
TEAM NEWS
City once again have a fully fit squad to work with, including the returns of Andre Burley and Josh Parker, who both missed the Hartlepool game due to call-ups for St Kitts & Nevis and Antigua & Barbuda respectively.
The Daggers will be without the suspended Harry Phipps, who was given a straight red card for a last-man challenge on Will Grigg last weekend.
This may give the pathway to a first start for a first start for young defender Aidan Francis-Clarke, who Hoops fans may remember started the playoff final for St Albans City against us last season.
Experienced winger Myles Weston also returns for the Daggers, after he joined up with Parker for Antigua & Barbuda over the international break.
RECENT FORM
Oxford City - D D W D W
The Hoops have proven their worth and more in the league in their last five games, collecting nine points to pull them away from the drop zone and up into sixteenth.
They have also scored the most goals of any team in the league over this spell, equal with Gateshead on 13.
Even more impressively, twelve of these have come in the last three games, in which they’ve faced last season’s play off semi finalists Boreham Wood, and two of the top four in Hartlepool and Solihull.
With his side ruthlessly in form in front of goal, manager Ross Jenkins will be looking to maintain this clinical streak and extend the unbeaten run to six on Saturday.
Dagenham & Redbridge - L W W W L
After late defeat last week, Dagenham remain in 13th, one point above City.
They haven’t been quite as free scoring as the Hoops, but have conceded two less goals and have collected two clean sheets.
Their three-game winning streak was harshly ended by Chesterfield, but the side are still feeling confident and will be looking to edge closer to the play-off spots, after missing out by eight points last year.
ONE TO WATCH - Ryan Hill
In a season where the goals have been shared relatively evenly, the standout name has to be new midfielder Ryan Hill.
Joining the club in the summer from Eastleigh, the midfielder has already stamped his authority on the team and collected two goals and an assist in his four games at the club.
Formerly of Stoke youth sides, Hill left to pursue first team football at Hampton and Richmond in 2018, before moving to Eastleigh in 2020.
He featured nearly 100 times for the south-coast side, before making a move this summer, where he seems to have found his feet almost instantly.
A technical player who can play out wide and centrally, Hill is capable on both feet and the Hoops will need to be on top of their game to prevent his threat.
HAVE WE MET BEFORE?
The two sides have met four times in their respective histories, the last match coming 25 years ago in 1998.
THE MANAGER - Ben Strevens
Taking on his second managerial role with Dagenham and Redbridge earlier this year, Strevens guided the side just short of the play-offs last season.
He enjoyed a 19 year playing career, from 1999 until 2018, turning out for 10 different sides. One of his most notable spells came at Dagenham, where, in his first spell, he scored 35 goals over three years and saw the side promoted to League Two.
After time at Brentford, Wycombe and Gillingham, he returned to Dagenham for a season before moving to Eastleigh.
He played 141 times for the Spitfires before retiring and becoming their manager later that year, a position he held for four years. In his first year, he guided his side to the play-off semi-finals.
Now 43, Strevens is looking to add a promotion to his managerial CV and take the side to the EFL, a place they have been unable to return to since relegation in 2016.
PLAYED FOR BOTH
City’s own Josh Parker had a very short stint at The Daggers in 2012 on loan.
The striker joined the club from Oldham for the second half of the season as a 21-year-old, making eight appearances as the club finished 19th in League Two.
HOW TO FOLLOW
FOLLOW THE ACTION:
Stay tuned to our official Twitter page for all the build-up, regular updates and post-match action.
AUDIO/RADIO COMMENTARY:
Can't make it to the match? BBC Radio Oxford will be providing full commentary of our opening 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.
INTERNATIONAL STREAMING:
The National League are delighted to announce a range of National League TV Match Passes available for the 2023/24 season.
When signing up to NLTV remember to select Oxford City as your chosen team!
To find out more about an international streaming pass click HERE
For details on how to sign up and register and purchase a pass click HERE
