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Oxford City vs Southend United

Vanarama National League

RAW Charging Stadium | Saturday 17th February, 15:00

Referee: John Mulligan   Assistants: Sam Wesson & Adam Wilson   Fourth Official: Joe Woolmer

RECENT FORM

Oxford City - L W L L L

It's safe to say everyone will be expecting a reaction from a disastrous result last Saturday. A 7-1 defeat away at Dagenham still stings...

However, that result wasn't helped by numerous injuries to key players.

Although, despite losing three on the trot, the Hoops will be looking to secure back-to-back home victories after that impressive 1-0 win over Ebbsfleet United in January.

That victory seems like a lifetime ago, but it's easy to get caught up in the peaks and troughs of football. A win on Saturday would put City right back into the mix, and although it wouldn't change their league position, the table would look a lot more promising.

Southend United - W W L L L

Like City, Southend have suffered three defeats on the spin, a spell of form that has seen the Shrimpers hauled back into the relegation mix.

However, take their league position with a pinch of salt!

United were hit by a ten-point deduction at the beginning of the season but if you added those points back onto their tally, they'd be eyeing up a play-off place.

Their last three defeats have come against runaway leaders Chestefield, play-off hopefuls Gateshead, and a rejuvenated York City.

Furthermore, the Shrimpers boast one of the best defences in the division. They've conceded just 33 goals this season which is the least amount of any side in the National League this season.



THE GAFFER'S THOUGHTS

Oxford City Manager Ross Jenkins spoke to the media ahead of Saturday's match.

“The National League is like League Three. You look at some of the clubs in the division, some of the budgets, some of the managers, facilities, infrastructures, training programmes and the wages to go with it, you have to really appreciate the level.

“Last time, their (Southend) fans we’re extremely loud and I expect nothing different from them this time round. I thought their fans were brilliant.

“I think they’ve sold out their allocation, so there’ll be an atmosphere. But it’s an atmosphere that we need to be ready for."

ONE TO WATCH - Harry Cardwell

In Harry Cardwell, Southend have one of the best strikers in the division. City fans won't have good memories of the talismanic target-man after he scored the first goal against the Hoops in the 2-0 defeat at Roots Hall earlier this season.

Furthermore, his tally of 12 goals in the season puts him hot on the heels with some of the division's firing strikers in the goalscoring charts.

Cardwell signed for Southend United in January 2022 for an undisclosed fee from Chorley.

A former Scotland U21 international, Cardwell began his career in the youth system at his hometown club, Hull City, before joining Reading’s Academy at the age of 16.

In 2017, after five years with the Royals, Cardwell moved back up north to join Grimsby Town on a permanent deal and went on to make 53 appearances in the Football League for the Mariners before signing for Chorley in 2020.

The 6ft 3 striker was instrumental in the Magpies’ historic FA Cup run in 2020/21, also scoring the equaliser in the 3-2 comeback win away at Wigan Athletic.

Cardwell then spent the second half of the 2020/21 season on loan at Stockport County following the curtailment of the National League North, featuring 19 times and grabbing six goals as the Hatters fell short in the National League play-offs.

In his fist half-season at Roots Hall, Harry scored three goals in 14 league appearances. He managed to remain fit for the second half of the 2022/23 season, netting seven times after the turn of the year, including two last-minute winners.

LAST TIME OUT

The atmosphere was bouncing at Roots Hall before the previous clash between the two sides.

Furthermore, unfortunately, City found themselves on the wrong end of a 2-0 defeat.

Harry Cardwell & Jack Wood grabbed the goals for the Shrimpers on a tough night in Essex.

THE MANAGER - Kevin Maher

Kevin Maher returned to Southend United to take over as Head Coach in October 2021, and since then, he's proved himself as one of the best managers outside of the EFL in what's proved to be one of the toughest jobs in football.

Despite transfer embargos, wages going unpaid, points deductions and other off-the-field catastrophes outside of his control, Maher has steadied the Southend ship and even kept them afloat.

Maher twice skippered the Club to promotion as a player, making over 450 appearances for Blues.

A midfield technician in his playing days, he started his career in Tottenham Hotspur’s Academy before moving to south Essex in 1998.

After a difficult start to life at Roots Hall, Maher soon established himself as an ever-present in the side and a mainstay in the team.

Two visits to the Millennium Stadium for Football League Trophy finals signified the start of a successful time for the club with Steve Tilson at the helm, and Maher played a vital role that.

It was third time lucky in the Welsh capital for the League Two Play-Off final, which saw Kevin captain the club to glory, and the following season he and Blues went one better by winning the League One title at the expense of bitter rivals Colchester United to secure back-to-back promotions.

After that hugely successful period, Maher's playing time suffered and he was no longer an automatic first choice, he departed the club.

Maher would go on to play for Gillingham, Oldham Athletic and Dagenham & Redbridge before seeing out his career at Bray Wanderers, Whitehawk and Chelmsford City.

His move into coaching saw him manage Chelmsford City and then the club’s U23 side. Kevin would move in search of a first team position which came with Bristol Rovers, working with four different managers in that time on the coaching side, before his homecoming when offered the Head Coach role at Blues in October 2021.

As of 10 February 2024, Maher has won 50 of his 119 games in charge of Blues..

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!

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