MATCH PREVIEW | OXFORD CITY VS ROCHDALE
Oxford City host Rochdale for first home game of the season.
Oxford City host fellow league newcomers Rochdale at the RAW Charging Stadium on Saturday. The Dale were relegated from Sky Bet League Two in their last campaign but will be looking to make an immediate return to the EFL this season.
FIXTURE DETAILS
Oxford City vs Rochdale
Vanarama National League
The RAW Charging Stadium, Oxford
Saturday 12th August, 15:00
Referee: Steven Copeland Assistants: David Hutton & Mark Chalkley Fourth Official: David Nicholson
Two teams that had previously never played in the fifth tier go head-to-head on Saturday.
Oxford City host Rochdale at the RAW Charging Stadium for their very first home game in the fifth tier.
However, sentiments aside, both sides are looking to pick up three points after defeats on the opening day.
Oxford City's 5-2 defeat away at Aldershot Town wasn't the dream start that Hoops fans would've been hoping for. However, there were positive signs with the performance in Hampshire last weekend. Striker Josh Parker picked up where he left off last season, scoring twice in the match. Furthermore, if it wasn't for some uncharacteristic errors in the backline, it could've been a very different contest.
Rochdale on the other hand suffered defeat on the opening day as well. Luke Oneil's clever flick consigned the Dale to a defeat at Spotland against Ebbsfleet United in their very first match in the National League. However, Jim McNulty's side will be looking to bounce back straight away in more ways than one with a win on Saturday and promotion come May.
PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Manager Ross Jenkins spoke to the media this week to preview of our trip to the Hampshire.
“Rochdale is a big club with history. They’ve got some good players and experienced players but it’ll be a different experience for them coming to our patch.
“They won’t have played on many 3G pitches before, so it’s a different challenge for both clubs.
“They’re playing on an unfamiliar surface and we’re playing a team that’s never played outside of the football league."
TEAM NEWS
Manager Ross Jenkins confirmed that Zac McEachran was left out of Saturday's squad with a virus, and Joe Wilson continues to recover from a slight knock he received in the pre-season win over Banbury United.
Meanwhile, Jim McNulty has bolstered his squad over the summer with a number of impressive signings. Experienced midfielder Adam Clayton the most notable signing for the Dale. Although, perhaps it's the names who have stuck around that may have the biggest say in whether Dale are to be successful this season?
All-time record goalscorer Ian Henderson has stuck around and so has captain and former Wolverhampton Wanderers centre-half Ethan Ebanks-Landell. Both are undoubtably leading players in the division.
Rochdale also confirmed the signings of Jesurun Uchegbulam and Tommy McDermott this week from Chesterfield and Port Vale respectively. They will both be in contention to make their debuts on Saturday.
HAVE WE MET BEFORE?
This will be the very first meeting between the two teams and the journey to get to where the two clubs are today couldn't be more different.
City's story isn't well documented, but is unique. Evicted from their former home the Whitehouse Ground by landlords Brasenose College, the Hoops have had to start again from scratch. Last season's third place finish was the club's highest ever after years in the lower echelons of the football pyramid.
On the other hand, for a number of years, League Two was nicknamed 'the Rochdale Division'. The Dale were mainstays in the fourth division and the nickname, as you can probably guess, came around due to the club's record of staying in the football league for so long.
However, when Keith Hill turned the club's fortunes around, Rochdale won promotion to League One and were mixing with the likes of Sheffield Wednesday and Bolton Wanderers as little as only two seasons ago.
Despite this, a tough couple of years has resulted in Rochdale's 120+ year stay in the EFL coming to an end. Thus, setting up this weekend's clash.
RECENT FORM
Oxford City - L
As previously mentioned, City's start to the season wasn't the dream result fans would've hoped for. A 5-2 defeat at Aldershot Town was a rude awakening to life in the National League, but one that Ross Jenkins' side will learn from quickly.
Of course, at this early stage, form doesn't really come into contention. However, City's first home game of the season can act as the perfect opportunity for Ross Jenkins' side to pick up their first points of the season.
Rochdale - L
Rochdale and Oxford City's starts were quite similar. The Dale were given a 'warm welcome' to the division by newly-promoted Ebbsfleet United in their first outing.
Luke O'neil's flicked finish consigned Jim McNulty's side to defeat on the opening day. However, just like the Hoops, Saturday's visitors will see this fixture as the perfect opportunity to pick up their first points at this level.
HOW TO FOLLOW
FOLLOW THE ACTION:
Stay tuned to our official Twitter, Facebook and Instagram pages 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!
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
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