Match Preview | Oxford City vs Oxford United
We preview our pre-season friendly with the Yellows.
The Hoops will face Championship side Oxford United at Court Place Farm as we dive deeper into pre-season and inch closer to the opening day.
As we are only 3 weeks away, it’s important to know that City venture into the National League North for the first team since 2015, where they will take a trip to Merseyside to face Marine FC on the opening day.
It's been a delightful start to life as Oxford City Manager for Sam Cox. City's first three friendlies have all ended in wins for City, scoring 23 goals in the process.
First it was a visit from Welsh Premier League side Barry Town United where City netted 9 (nine) and kept a clean sheet, then it was a short trip to Southern League side Didcot Town where the Hoops were successful in a 2-5 win, which was shortly followed by the visit of Kings Langley where City respectively ran out 9-1 (yes, NINE again) winners.
In contrast, Oxford United will be a new and much trickier test as they welcome the U’s to Court Place Farm on Friday evening.
The U’s have been at a training camp in Spain prior to this friendly, where they fell short losing 1-0 to Portuguese side Academico de Viseu.
The forecast is saying it'll be hot summer weather on Friday evening, what more could you possibly ask for?
FIXTURE DETAILS
Oxford City vs Oxford United
Pre-Season Friendly
Court Place Farm - Friday 19th July - 19:30
Referee: Martyn Mitchell - Assistants: Jay Hall & Ben Williamson
THE GAFFER'S THOUGHTS
Read what Sam Cox had to say before Friday's friendly by clicking HERE.
ONE TO WATCH - Cameron Brannagan
We could've picked anyone for this, but our One To Watch for Friday Evening is Oxford United’s fan favourite Cameron Brannagan.
The versatile Number 8 has the ability to shut down any opponent that faces him, giving him the ability to change the game at his own feet.
The Mancunian born midfielder has featured in almost 300 games for Oxford United after making a name for himself at Fleetwood Town after coming through Liverpool's academy.
He made 14 appearances during his loan spell at The Cods before signing for the U’s in the January window in 2018.
Since then, he's never looked back. The U’s skipper has netted 50 goals during 6 years with United, scoring a number of huge goals to win games plenty of times.
Brannagan impacted the outcome of our previous friendly against the U’s as he found the back of the net twice in a 2-5 win for United two years ago.
LAST TIME OUT
The last time City faced United was July 2022 where the U’s ran out 2-5 winners.
Two first half goals from Cameron Brannagan plus strikes from James Henry, Sam Long and Marcus Browne were enough for the Yellows, despite City scoring twice in an entertaining 90 minutes.
Both Zach McEachran and Latrell Ewers-Humphrey found the back of the net during the early stages of each half.
THE MANAGER - Des Buckingham
Before Buckingham was re-appointed by the U’s in November 2023, he began his Coaching career at the age of 18 within the Youth Stages with United.
Des then progressed into the first team in 2013/14 alongside then-manager Chris Wilder where the U’s competed in League Two.
He then had a stint overseas where he managed A-League side Wellington Phoenix and became Manager in 2017 after spending a few years at the club, leading him to become the youngest manager in A-League history.
Buckingham continued life in New Zealand where he was appointed head coach of the New Zealand U20 side before being promoted to Assistant manager of the Senior team.
He stayed with the national side before relocating to Melbourne City as Assistant Coach in September 2020 where they went on to win the double. .
Des was appointed Head Coach at Mumbai City in the Indian Super League. He stayed there for two seasons, leading the team to become the first Indian side to win a game in the AFC Champions League.
An Oxford lad, Des returned to the UK and his boyhood club, Oxford United. Named Head Coach in November after the departure of Liam Manning, the aim was to finish the good work that the current Bristol City boss had started... promotion.
After taking some time to find his feet, Des led the U’s to a play-off final where they beat Bolton Wanderers 2-0 to take Oxford to the second division for the first time in 25 years
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