In truth, it was a game mostly of half-chances - City had the lion’s share of these, but ultimately were unable to trouble the hosts’ defence as Hoops goalkeepers of past and present kept clean-sheets at both ends of the pitch.

As has been customary over the past few weeks, Ross Jenkins named the same XI that drew 1-1 at Taunton Town on Tuesday night as they looked to continue their fine unbeaten run in 2023.

The Hoops were quick to get their positive passing game going, and the right-wing certainly proved the most dangerous avenue for the Hoops in the early stages.

Aaron Williams-Bushell’s runs down the right saw him able to build attacks for the Hoops, however were mostly met by a solid Dartford defence that prevented the Hoops from any clear cut opportunities.

The City defence were also kept on their toes in the early stages, with the hosts also looking to break the deadlock early, but were well alert to a snapshot from Kieran Murtagh as the effort was blocked, with Alex Wall also looking to shoot on the angle, which didn’t have Adnan Kanuric troubled.

With 10 minutes of the first period to play, Josh Parker found himself in a rare bit of space just outside the box, however he got under his effort as it flew over the bar.

The second period began with a couple other efforts at goal from City – Parker tried a cheeky lob on ex-City keeper Ben Dudzinski which went over the bar, before Alfie Potter was able to have a fierce strike from just outside the box that only just cleared the crossbar.

A set-piece then almost proved fruitful for the Hoops as a Josh Ashby corner was headed on by Canice Carroll, with Reece Fleet not quite able to flick home from the edge of the six-yard box.

As dangerous as a set-piece was at one end, City also found themselves needing to defend one as Lewis Miccio brought down Wall on the edge of the box – earning himself a yellow card. Another ex-City man in Luke Coulson was tasked with taking it, but his effort comfortably cleared the crossbar.

Wall and Malachi Napa then linked up for the hosts a few moments later with the former taking a shot from a tight angle that was no problem from Adnan Kanuric.

But the Hoops continued to look dangerous on the break, with Ashby able to have a snapshot on the angle that had Dudzinski beaten, but just flicked the post on its way wide.

City nearly found a winner with ten minutes to play as Zac McEachran did brilliantly on the by-line to loop a ball across goal with Josh Parker lurking at the back post, however Tom Bonner rose with the City forward to ensure that the ball ended the wrong side of the post from the Hoops’ point of view.

With three minutes added time shown, City had two promising free-kicks about 40-yards out, with Ashby trying to catch Dudzinski out with the latter, but ultimately left both teams having to settle for a goalless draw – the second in a row between the two sides at Princes Park.



Ross Jenkins’ men will be looking to extend their unbeaten run next weekend as they return to the RAW Charging Stadium to welcome Farnborough to Oxfordshire.

Oxford City Starting XI: Kanuric, Miccio, Ashby, Burley, Coyle, Fleet, McEachran, Parker, Potter, Williams-Bushell, Carroll

Subs not used: Grantham, Carbon, Davies, Iaciofano, Lolos