Match Preview | Scarborough Athletic v Oxford City
Hoops hoping for hat-trick of wins.
Oxford City are back on the road to face Scarborough Athletic as they search for their third win a row in the Vanarama National League North on Tuesday (7:45PM Kick off).
City face Scarborough after back-to-back wins. They beat South Shields 2-1 thanks to a last-gasp Josh Ashby penalty which was followed up by an imperious victory of Warrington on Saturday. Should they win in midweek, it would be the first time the Hoops have won three in a row all season.
The most recent victory over Warrington has given the Hoops some welcomed breathing space over the bottom four as they now sit six points above the drop and with two games-in-hand over Needham Market in 21st.
Scarborough Athletic are looking for their fourth win in four games as they've defeated Southport, Hereford and Needham Market.
These sided have history of highly charged games in recent years. The sides faced off in the final round of qualifying last year and a Canice Carroll header earned City a replay which Scarborough went on to win with a last minute winner. Earlier in the season, the spoils were shared as Zac McEachran's 94th minute goal was enough to give City a point.
FIXTURE DETAILS
Scarborough Athletic v Oxford City
Scarborough Sports Stadium – Tuesday 25th March – 7:45pm
Vanarama National League North
Referee: Liam Corbett Assistant Referees: `Craig Thompson & Jeffrey Aldous Fourth Official: Simon Parbery
Form (League Only)
SCARBOROUGH ATHLETIC - L L W W W
Boro are in their best form since the beginning of the season when they won three of their first four games. They are on a similar run and haven't conceded in their last three wins with 'keeper Ryan Whitley claiming his 50th competitive clean sheet for the side during a 1-0 win over Southport.
Their home form is better than their form on the road and they have won eight of their 19 home games, averaging 1.47 points per game at the Scarborough Sports Stadium.
Over the last eight league fixtures, Boro have conceded just 0.88 goals per game and claimed 1.88 points per game, well above their season average.
OXFORD CITY - D L D W W
With City looking for their third win in a row, they are equally in their best form of the campaign and it's coming at an opportune moment.
The season's statistics suggest that City are ever so slightly better away from home as they have managed 1.11 points per game away from The MGroup Stadium.
The Hoops have been down on goals in recent games and a 4-0 win over Warrington, which by Manager Ross Jenkins' own admission, could have been many more, is warmly welcomed by any Hoops fan.
THE MANAGER - JONATHAN GREENING
Scarborough appointed Jonathan Greening in 2021. His first season in charge of the Seadogs he led them to promotion from the Northern Premier League. It was also Greening’s first role as head coach.
He had previously coached the academy team at York City and Tadcaster Albion, where his younger brother played.
Greening enjoyed an illustrious playing career. He came through the ranks at York City to play for their first team before a big move to Manchester United in 1998. During this period, he was on the bench for the famous 1999 Champions League final.
From United, Greening moved to Middlesborough where he received an England call-up. Greening also played nearly 200 times for West Brom before moves to Fulham and Nottingham Forest.
ONE TO WATCH - DOM TEAR
Tear is Scarborough's top scorer this season with 11 league goals. He hasn't scored since the 2-0 home victory over Radcliffe at the beginning of the month but has picked up three of his four assists in that time. Tear is a constant pressure down the wing and will look to pick up any loose balls coming to the back post.
He bagged a brace in the final round of FA Cup Qualification against Chester and netted a hat-trick on the opening day of the season against Radcliffe.
The 25-year-old signed for Scarborough in 2022 having moved from Guiseley. He began his career in the Huddersfield academy before a permanent move to Halifax Town.
Tear also has experience at the National League North level having played for Gateshead and Blyth Spartans. The winger will be crucial for Scarborough going forward on Saturday.
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