FIXTURE DETAILS

 Wealdstone vs Oxford City

Vanarama National League

Grosvenor Vale Stadium

Tuesday 24th October, 19:45

Referee: Aaron Farmer   Assistants: Mark Chalkley & Jorden Gibson   Fourth Official: George Laflin

RECENT FORM

Oxford City - L W D L L

Ross Jenkins' side didn't pick up points on Saturday away at Bromley. However, the performance showed that the Hoops can compete with even the big boys in the division.

Jenkins has been hit with numerous injuries to key players, and whilst not spoilt for choice with players to select, he will be pleased with how some of his squad's fringe players stepped up to the plate at the weekend.

However, City are yet to win away this season, something that the squad are desperate to change.

Wealdstone - D L L L D

Like City, Wealdstone are also out of this season's FA Cup. They were beaten 3-2 away at Bromley in the Fourth Qualifying Round.

However, in the league, Stuart Maynard's men come into this fixture in 16th spot. The Stone's have gained plaudits for their style of football and over the past few seasons have proven to be a tough nut to crack in the National League. Something the Hoops will aspire to live up to themselves.

Although, their recent form hasn't sparkled, at home Wealdstone are formidable!

If you looked at the league table on home form alone, the Stone's would be 8th. You have to go back to August to find their last home defeat (a 2-0 loss against Dagenham & Redbridge).

They started the season in sensational fashion going four games unbeaten (winning two matches out of those four). In their last five matches in the National League they've lost just two matches - both defeats coming late on away at Kidderminster & Gateshead.

ONE TO WATCH - Max Kretzschmar

Midfielder Max Kretzschmar adds quality to Wealdstone's arsenal.

After coming through the youth system at Southampton he eventually made the switch to Wycombe Wanderers and made his first team debut at Adams Park in 2013.

He went on to play 73 times for the Chairboys before eventually joining National League side Woking.

At Woking he proved pivotal in the Cards' survival campaign, before moving down a division to join Hampton & Richmond. However, he was at the Beveree Stadium for a solitary season before he returned to Woking (then in the National League South).

Again though, he proved to be a key man in Alan Dowson's squad. In the 2018-19 season, he helped Woking return to the National League. In fact, he scored a crucial equaliser against his current employers in the play-off semi-final. He also scored against Oxford City earlier in the same campaign.

He spent four years at Woking before making the switch to Tuesday's opponents last season.

HAVE WE MET BEFORE?

The two club's last met in the 2019/20 National League South season.

Wealdstone went on to win promotion that year. However, in the last meeting between the two sides, it was Oxford City who claimed victory.

A 3-2 victory on the 4th January 2020. Joe Oastler & Elliot Benyon had put City ahead before the Stones came from behind to level through Jacob Mendy & Adam Coombes.

However, their celebrations were short lived as Finn Tapp scored City's winner thirteen minutes from time.



THE MANAGER - Stuart Maynard

A former Wealdstone player, Maynard is enjoying a lot of success in his first management gig.

He originally joined the Stones as assistant to Dean Brennan before taking over as the number one in 2021. However, this was the season where covid struck and caused havoc up and down the leagues, but despite this he kept the club in the National League with a 19th placed finish.

From then on, the Stones have gone from strength to strength under his management.

In his first full season of management he guided the club to their highest league finish in 35 years (16th in the National League).

Last season he (and Wealdstone) went one better, finishing 13th. However, at one stage of the season they were sitting pretty at the league summit after impressive wins over Oldham Athletic and Gateshead.

Their success has led to him and his assistant Matthew Saunders being handed new two-year contracts.

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 STREAM:

This game will be available for streaming via National League TV. You can buy a match pass by clicking HERE!

Remember to choose Oxford City as your favourite team!

AUDIO/RADIO COMMENTARY:

Can't make it to the match? BBC Radio Oxford will be providing full commentary of our match online.

Click HERE to head to the BBC's non-league commentary page where you'll be able to tune in at around 19:40. Or simply tune into BBC Radio Oxford on BBC Sounds.