MATCH PREVIEW | PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL | OXFORD CITY V WORTHING
Oxford City’s hopes of reaching the National League South play off final will be determined on Sunday as they welcome Worthing to the RAW Charging Stadium.
After a third-place finish assured City of a spot in the semi-finals, the Rebels edged out Braintree Town 2-1 in a competitive midweek eliminator to set up a tie with both sides dreaming of a shot at National League promotion.
LAST TIME OUT:
In the last encounter between the two promotion hopefuls, it was the Hoops who ran away victorious securing a 3-0 win on home turf.
City’s opener came when Josh Ashby’s free kick was met by the towering Canice Carroll at the back post who’s downward header was converted by Lewis Miccio.
Josh Parker doubled the lead for the hosts in the second half from the penalty spot after the forward was brought down in the Worthing box. Zac McEachran sealed all three points on the day deep in the second half after a quick counterattack culminated in Ashby teeing up McEachran for his second assist of the game and the killer strike for City on the day.
FORM:
OXFORD CITY
Form: L W W D L
Following a defeat to VNLS champions, Ebbsfleet United, the Hoops went on to win their following two league fixtures beating Chelmsford City 3-1 before a brilliant display saw them thrash Dover Athletic 5-1.
The Oxfordshire outfit were spared defeat against Havant & Waterlooville thanks to Alfie Potter’s strike on a landmark 50th Hoops appearance but suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat on the final day at St Albans.
However, the points accumulated throughout the season alongside a strong goal difference and favourable results elsewhere meant City finished third securing their semi-final spot.
WORTHING
Form: W L W W W
The Rebels managed to see off Braintree in the week to build on their strong finish to the regular VNLS season.
An impressive run in a congested April saw the West Sussex side win five out of their six games in the concluding weeks – a run which saw them pick up significant victories against Concord Rangers, Braintree and Farnborough.
Following a 3-2 defeat to Taunton Town, Adam Hinshelwood’s men bounced back with wins over Cheshunt and Hemel Hempstead Town to ensure a positive end to their season culminating in a fourth-place finish.
ONE TO WATCH: Ollie Pearce
Leading the Worthing attack heading into the semi-final clash is Ollie Pearce. The former Bognor Regis man was the third highest scorer in the VNLS table this season tallying 24 goals in 45 league appearances this season.
Following victory in the midweek eliminator, Worthing will be hoping to cause City’s backline problems with Pearce one of the side’s main attacking outlets. The 27-year-old featured as part of the Bognor Regis side that made it to the FA Trophy semi-finals in 2016 before sealing a move to Woodside Road in 2018.
THE GAFFER'S THOUGHTS:
“To be in this position right now, as a football club, I think we’ve come on leaps and bounds. Obviously last season we had to play that first game before we got to this stage, and it took a lot out of us. We’ve had that week to prepare, plan and rest, so we’ve got no excuses on that front.”
“We’ve tried to progress every year. I think we’ve done that in a steady manner, without doing what some teams can do, and that’s throw loads of money at things and do things overnight. We’ve gradually started chipping away at the things we can control,”
HOW TO FOLLOW THE GAME:
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