Match Preview | Southport v Oxford City
Hoops look to keep the good times coming...
It's been quite the turnaround for Oxford City.
Tuesday evening's 3-1 victory against Farsley Celtic secured a fourth win in five matches for Ross Jenkins side and stretched the Hoops' unbeaten run to six matches.
In the process, City overtook Saturday's opponents in the National League North table and now, safety looks certain. In fact, a mid-table finish isn't out of the question either and another result on the road on Merseyside would see the Hoops extend their gap to the bottom four to sixteen points.
Opponents Southport parted company with Manager Jim Bentley at the start of March, and they're yet to appoint his successor.
Remarkably, the Sandgrounder's league status hasn't been secured yet. You'd imagine a solitary point would make sure of their step 2 status (with other results needed) but all three points would make sure the job is done.
Yet, they'll have to improve on their recent form, with one win in their last seven the reason why they've been dragged down the league table.
Just down the road from Aintree on Grand National Day, can the Hoops keep improving in the final straight?
FIXTURE DETAILS
Southport v Oxford City
Haig Avenue – Saturday 5th April – 3:00pm
Vanarama National League North
Referee: Ben Robinson | Assistant Referees: George Easton & Alexander Perkin Fourth Official: Nathaniel Cox
Form (League Only)
OXFORD CITY - W W D W W
If it wasn't for Kidderminster Harriers' five wins in five matches, City would be THE form team in the VNLN.
Nevertheless, they've turned a below-par season around to put their relegation worries behind them.
Eighteen days after dropping into the drop zone, the Hoops extended their cushion to Needham Market to thirteen points, a total the Marketmen can no longer catch.
A 0-0 draw at Scarborough the only slight blemish in their last five games after four impressive wins over South Shields, Warrington Town, Radcliffe and Farsley.
SOUTHPORT - L L W L L
After a solid start to their season, Southport have tailed off of late.
The 1-0 defeat at Marine was the final nail in the coffin for Manager Jim Bentley, who was relieved of his duties the day after.
It had the desired effect, as Southport picked up what now seems like a priceless 2-0 win away at Rushall Olympic.
However, they come into this game on the back of two defeats to Scarborough and Scunthorpe.
LAST TIME OUT
Watch the highlights from when we last met Southport.
THE MANAGER - DAVID MORGAN
A firm fans' favourite, Caretaker Player/Manager David Morgan is currently at the helm at Haig Avenue.
A graduate of the Nottingham Forest academy after moving to England from Northern Ireland, the midfielder is still enjoying a respectable playing career.
Morgan has made over 150 appearances for Southport and this is his first foray into senior management after taking charge of the club's U21 side.
ONE TO WATCH - SAM MINIHAN
Signed from Buxton is the summer. A right back with plenty of experience having made close to 200 appearances for Stockport County before joining FC Halifax in the 2022-23 season. He helped County rise through the leagues in his spell with the club from 2016-22 and was a big part of the side that helped them return to the National League and subsequently the EFL.
Minihan was with Buxton last season where he picked up the Supporters Player Of The Year award.
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