Match Preview | Oxford City vs Eastleigh
There's twelve matches to go in the Vanarama National League and the games keep getting bigger!
Saturday's draw with Southend stopped the rot of three defeats in a row, but the City squad are probably wondering how they didn't take all three points after a positive display.
The performance was much better from Ross Jenkins' men, and now the challenge has to be to keep performing to the level we know that the Hoops' squad are capable of (albeit with an ever-growing list of absentees).
This evening's challenge comes against an Eastleigh team who will be starting a new era with a new manager at the helm.
This will be the first match of the Kelvin Davis era, after the ex-Southampton goalkeeper was handed the reigns at the Silverlake Stadium. His first job will be to steer the Spitfires away from the dreaded drop-zone and perhaps even mount a push for the play-offs (which is still achievable).
It should be another cracking match in OX3.
FIXTURE DETAILS
Oxford City vs Eastleigh
Vanarama National League
RAW Charging Stadium | Tuesday 20th February, 19:45
Referee: James Durking Assistants: Martin Bloor & Jorden Gibson Fourth Official: Liam Corbett
RECENT FORM
Oxford City - W L L L D
Saturday's 0-0 draw with Southend was an impressive way of stopping the rot, but there was the feeling that it could've been all three for Ross Jenkins' men.
When looking at the replays, Renny Smith's goal was incorrectly disallowed for offside, a decision that may have a big impact on the league table come the end of April.
However, on the positive side, it was much better performance from Ross Jenkins' side and more like the Oxford City of old. Moreover, despite four points out of a possible fifteen being a less than ideal return, City have accumulated a better points tally than some of the league's 'big boys'.
Eastleigh - L L D L L
Eastleigh's come into this match at the bottom of the form table. Just one point in their last five matches has led to a change in the dug-out.
Richard Hill was the second manager at the Silverlake Stadium to be shown the door this season, and now ex-Southampton Goalkeeper Kelvin Davis will be in charge of turning the Spitfire's fortunes around.
Despite their form, Eastleigh still boast the division's top goalscorer. Paul McCallum has had no problem with finding the net this year with 23 goals, but perhaps that's half of the problem? The talismanic striker's tally equates to a whopping 43.4% of the team's total goals this year.
Moreover, the last time he found the net was six matches ago in a 4-4 draw away at Boreham Wood.
ONE TO WATCH - Paul McCallum
The top goalscorer in the National League, McCallum has earned the plaudits he's been given this season.
A proven goalscorer at this level, over the past six season's, he's had prolific spells at Step 1 with Eastleigh, Barnet & Dagenham & Redbridge.
He came through the ranks at West Ham United and was involved with the Hammers' first-team. However, he never made an appearance at Upton Park and his spell was filled with loan spells to teams lower down the pyramid.
He was released in 2015, but made a switch across London to join Leyton Orient. He enjoyed a largely successful spell at Brisbane Road, before joining Eastleigh.
In 2017, McCallum joined Eastleigh for two successful years in Hampshire, scoring 35 goals in 67 appearances, in what is arguably the most prolific spell of his career.
Solihull Moors would be his next destination when he departed the Silverlake Stadium in 2019. McCallum went on to make 21 appearances, scoring eight goals in that time.
A short stint at Barnet saw him score four goals in five appearances before he completed a permanent move to Dagenham & Redbridge.
It was at the East London club where the striker found the most game time having made 95 appearances and scoring 39 goals during his time there, before re-joining our visitors at the beginning of the season.
LAST TIME OUT
In the last meeting between the two teams, City made it a night to remember as they came from two-goals down to secure a big point.
Two goals be Scott Quigley put the host's two-goals ahead with fifteen minutes to go. However, a stunning goal from Lewis Coyle & a last-gasp strike from Latrell Humphrey-Ewers sent the away end into raptures!
THE MANAGER - Kelvin Davis
With over 600 career appearances under his belt, the new man at the helm will bring both experience and professionalism to Eastleigh.
This is Davis' first foray into management, but he is probably best-known for his ten-year spell as Southampton's goalkeeper.
He was also part of the Southampton team that won promotion from League One to the Premier league.
He went on to become a fans' favourite at St Mary's (just down the road from his new employers), and earned himself a testimonial match in his honour.
He began his career at Luton Town, but also spent time with Wimbledon, Ipswich Town & Sunderland.
Now, he starts his career as a manager, and will be wanting to start with three points.
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!
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