Match Preview: Oxford City vs Gloucester City
Oxford City welcome Gloucester City to the Velocity Stadium for their final game of pre-season. Here's everything you need to know before the game.
COUNTDOWN TO KICK-OFF
Vanarama National League North outfit Gloucester City make the trip to the Velocity Stadium tomorrow as the Hoops face their final test before the big kick-off in Vanarama National League South.
City kick-off the season against Eastbourne Borough on Saturday 6th August and tomorrow's friendly will give Ross Jenkins' side another tough test.
LAST TIME OUT:
In rather bizarre circumstances, the two teams met in a mid-season friendly when the Vanarama National League season ground to a halt during the Covid pandemic.
Both Oxford City and Gloucester were flying high in their respective divisions and in the uncertainty of whether the league would re-start, opted to face off at the TigerTurf Stadium.
City romped to victory in the friendly, winning 4-1 on the afternoon with Lewis Coyle grabbing a hat-trick in the game.
FORM:
OXFORD CITY
Last five games: LDWD
The Hoops have faced some difficult opposition in their pre-season campaign but have impressed with some promising performances.
Ross Jenkins' didn't disgrace themselves against two Sky Bet League One sides with a 4-2 defeat to Oxford United and a 0-0 draw with Wycombe Wanderers. Two promotion chasing teams.
A 4-0 win over Stratford Town secured a first win in pre-season before playing out a 1-1 draw with National League North side Brackley Town last Saturday.
GLOUCESTER CITY:
Last five games: WDWWW
Pre-season is by no means an accurate marker to judge how well a team will fare when the season kicks-off, but nervertheless, Lee Mansell's side have impressed this summer.
Most recently, the Tigers beat Bath City 3-1 in a friendly, a second National League South side put to the sword after an earlier 1-0 win over Hungerford Town.
A 3-0 win against Bishops Cleeve, a 3-1 win over Cinderford Town and a 1-1 draw with Swindon Supermarine have set the visitors up nicely going into the new season.
ONE TO WATCH: Kennedy Digie
Digie is a new recruit at the Tiger Turf Stadium and is already making an impression with Gloucester after an impressive pre-season. The central defender scored his first goal for his new club in a 3-1 win over Cinderford Town.
Digie is an established player at step-two level, spending last season on loan at Farsley Celtic after joining from National League side Altrincham.
The defender boasts an impressive CV playing for the likes of York City, Hereford, Kidderminster and Guisely in his career and will prove to be a key-cog in Lee Mansell's side this season.
WORD FROM THE CAMP: ROSS JENKINS
After the 1-1 draw against Brackley in the Hoops previous game, Jenkins says his side can't let their standards slip.
"It's important that we keep our standards," said Jenkins.
"They've [the new players] have earned their place in our camp by doing good things so it's important they keep their standards high as well and we'll demand that from the boys who have stayed too.
"We have to set new targets and new standards now and this is the perfect opportunity to do that now."
TICKETS:
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(Online/On the turnstile)
Adults: £8/£10
Concessions: £4/£6
NHS Key Workers: £4/£6
Students & U18's: FREE
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Twitter: @OxCityFC
Facebook: Oxford City FC
Instagram: @oxcityfc
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