FIXTURE DETAILS

 Oxford City vs York City

Vanarama National League

The RAW Charging Stadium | Tuesday 23rd January, 19:45

Referee: Matthew Russell   Assistants: Ryan Saward & Ollie Taylor   Fourth Official: Lewis Mansfield-King

RECENT FORM

Oxford City - L L W L L

Defeat against a rejuvenated Hartlepool United side was a tough result to take from Ross Jenkins men. However, perhaps a week off is just what the doctor ordered for the Hoops.

Defeats against Boreham Wood & Solihull Moors didn't reflect the performance from the team, but that was followed by a hard-fought three points away at Dorking Wanderers on Boxing Day.

The departures of Olly Sanderson & Jack Bycroft will give Ross Jenkins some decisions to make ahead of Saturday. However, in the Goalkeeping department Marcin Brzozowski & Chris Haigh will be ready to step up to the task if called upon.

Up front, Alex Fisher made his debut for the Hoops in the North East and after a couple of weeks on the training ground with his new teammates, may be in line to play a bigger role than his cameo at the start of the month.

York City - D D D W D

After back-to-back postponements in the National League, York will be looking to extend their seven-match unbeaten run in the league (a run that goes back to their 2-0 victory over Oxford City).

However, out of those seven matches, York have managed to win only two games (versus the Hoops & Gateshead). Although, Neal Ardley has made the Minstermen a tough nut to crack, with the solid foundations implemented by the new gaffer slowly starting to bring success.

They've conceded just four goals in their steady run, but perhaps the issue stems from up front with only six goals scored.

Away from the VNL, there can be some frustration after a shock FA Trophy exit to Step 4 side Nantwich Town.

THE GAFFER'S THOUGHTS - ROSS JENKINS

“We had a good week of training leading up to the game, but that’s football.

“But if anything it’s allowed us to give one or two players a few more days training and rest. It’s had its pros & cons.

“They’re (York) a big club with a big fan base, and Neal Ardley has them working in a good manner, so it’s going to be a difficult game.

“From the match up at their place, in the first-half, I don’t think we were good enough. We sat off them a little bit too much and we were a little bit passive.

“In the second-half, we were better. Our football showed and we started to move the ball much better and tried to control the game a little bit more, which hopefully we can do at home.

“We’ve had seventeen days off, and that’s a long time, so the boys are really keen to play games.

“There’s only so much training you can do, you need the realism of a game.

“We have things we need to work on, which we’ve done this week and hopefully we can see that in the games that are coming up.”

Read the full interview HERE.

ONE TO WATCH - Scott Burgess

Perhaps Scott Burgess is an un-sung hero for York, but he's the player we're choosing for this 'one-to-watch'.

A lively, versatile midfielder, Burgess has shown that he has the attributes to help the Minstermen beat the drop this season. Furthermore, playing as a right-sided midfielder in the reverse fixture, he was influential in the Hoops' downfall.

Burgess rose through the youth ranks at Bury FC, and spent time on loan at Stalybridge Celtic and Norwegian side Bergsøy at Gigg Lane.

Soon after, his ability earned him a place in the Shakers' first-team squad, going on to make over twenty appearances for the Greater-Manchester side whilst scoring twice (in League One).

He also knows his way out of the division (in the right direction). Former York Manager John Askey signed him on loan at Macclesfield Town in 2017/18, and he helped the Silkmen win the National League title against the odds. Furthermore, the midfielder's relationship with Askey would help mould his career.

Askey went on to manage Port Vale & York in his career, and he brought the midfielder with him, signing Burgess for a second & third time in his career which has brought Burgess to where he is today.

He's also represented Wrexham & Grimsby in the National League.

HAVE WE MET BEFORE?

A disappointing night in November ended in defeat for the Hoops.

Tyler Cordner's long-range strike gave the host's the lead before Will Davies doubled the lead on seventeen minutes, as two early goals consigned Ross Jenkins' side to defeat on their first visit to the LNER Community Stadium.

THE MANAGER - Neal Ardley

A club legend at Wimbledon during his playing days, Ardley became York City manager in September.

Born in Epsom, Ardley came up through the Youth Academy, before featuring 245 times for the ‘Crazy Gang’ over an eleven-year spell in the 90’s and early 00’s.

He also went on to play for Watford, Cardiff and Millwall before his retirement in 2007.

His first senior role came as manager of the rebranded AFC Wimbledon, a post he held for six years between 2012 and 2018. In this time, he turned them from a struggling League Two side into a mid-table League One team.

His next job was at Notts County, where unfortunately he was relegated to non-league with the side for the first time in their history.

He narrowly missed out on promotion at the first attempt, losing the play-off final to Harrogate in June 2020.

History repeated itself for Ardley in 2022, where he was now coaching Solihull Moors, as his side lost the play-off final to Grimsby Town. He navigated them to a mid-table last year before departing at the end of the season.

HOW TO FOLLOW

TICKETS:

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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.

COMING TO THE GAME?

Check out our Matchday/Fan Guide HERE