FIXTURE DETAILS

Oxford City vs FC Halifax Town

Vanarama National League

RAW Charging Stadium   Sunday 17th March | 12:15

Referee: Dale Baines    Assistants: Alex Mathieson & Marcus Carmichael  Fourth Official: Ashley Clarke

RECENT FORM

Oxford City -  L L L D L

It would be fair to say that Oxford City have perhaps put in two of their best performances of the season in the last two fixtures away at Rochdale & Chesterfield.

However Ross Jenkins' side have come away from both of those matches with just one point.

Tuesday's clash with the champions-elect Chesterfield was certainly a performance worthy of something. However, the Hoops' finishing touch deserted them on the night, as did the favour of big refereeing decisions.

Although, if the team can replicate the level of their previous two performances back on home turf, they'll have every chance of upsetting the odds.

FC Halifax Town - W W W L W

The Shaymen are in a spell of red-hot form, and they're perhaps going under the radar in the National League.

Impressive wins in their last five matches against Maidenhead, Woking, Dagenham & Redbridge & Boreham Wood has the Yorkshire side knocking on the door of the play-off places in ninth (just two points off Altrincham in 7th).

Furthermore, the Shaymen have a good record on the road, they come into this match with the sixth best away record in the division.

They had to navigate through a sticky patch of form from the beginning of the new year, but after alleviating a run of six games without a win, they've now dropped just three points in their previous six fixtures.

THE GAFFER'S THOUGHTS

Read what Ross Jenkins had to say before Sunday's match by clicking HERE.

ONE TO WATCH - Andrew Oluwabori

The forward, who can play across the front three, started his career with Huddersfield Town’s youth academy before making the switch to Peterborough in 2021 following a successful trial with the club. Whilst with the Under 21s at The Posh, Oluwabori joined fellow National League side Boreham Wood on loan in October 2021 where he made two substitute appearances before returning to Peterborough after just one month.

His next loan spell would come the following season where he joined National League North side Kettering Town in August 2022. Oluwabori made 10 appearances for The Poppies, scoring four times. At the end of November 2022, Oluwabori signed for fellow National League side Yeovil Town on an initial loan until January which was then extended until the end of the 2022/23 campaign where he made 25 appearances, scoring twice and provided the assist for Yeovil’s equaliser in the 1-1 draw at the Shay last season.

LAST TIME OUT

Oxford City picked up their first ever National League point at the Shay.

In a game of two halves, the Hoops could well have grabbed all three points on the day. However, they had to make do with Pierre Fonkeu's equaliser in the second-half in a 1-1 draw in Yorkshire.

THE MANAGER - Chris Millington

Millington was appointed manager of the Shaymen at the start of the 2022/23 season following the departure of Pete Wild to Barrow, who Chris had been assistant to for three seasons.

He finished 11th in his first season and saw his side win 1-0 at Wembley to lift the FA Trophy last season.

Millington has been at FCHT since 2019 and has a coaching role at Curzon Ashton on his CV as well as the senior team and youth team roles at Oldham.

Unlike most managers, Millington hasn't spent time as a player in the professional game.

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.

LIVE ON TNT SPORTS

The TNT Sports Cameras are back in town and this game will be available to watch on the box!