MATCH REPORT | MAIDENHEAD UNITED 0-0 OXFORD CITY

Patrick Lock • August 26, 2023

Spoils Shared as Hoops and Magpies Battle Out Goalless Draw

Maidenhead United 0

Oxford City 0

Oxford City’s trip to Maidenhead United saw the sides battle out a goalless draw at York Road.

In truth, it was a game of few clear chances with both defences holding firm, with the Hoops and Chris Haigh picking up their first clean-sheet of the season.

SELECTION

Heading into the match, Ross Jenkins made one change to the side that picked up the their first National League point at Halifax last weekend.

That saw Tafari Moore make his full Oxford City debut, with Aaron Williams-Bushell dropping out of the side with an injury.

There were two notable additions to the bench as well, with Zac McEachran returning to the matchday squad following his illness, and also Olly Sanderson who returned to the club this week on loan from Fulham.

First-Half

The first real opportunity of the match came from a set-piece, with the hosts awarded a free-kick just outside the box inside 5 minutes.

Charlee Adams’s effort did not beat the wall with Josh Parker ensuring the ball deflected away to safety.

City’s efforts on goal tended to come from range, and Josh Ashby had the first of these on 10 minutes as his well struck effort on his weak foot went wide of the mark.

Maidenhead’s most likely outlet was Jayden Mitchell-Lawson down the right channel. He put in a dangerous cross on 20 minutes that forced Chris Haigh to get down and get a crucial touch to ensure that the score stayed goalless.

On the half-hour, City were given a huge let-off when Chanka Zimba was unable to turn home a Casey Pettit cross from just a couple of yards out.

Five minutes before the break and the Hoops had probably their best effort on goal when Josh Parker’s fierce effort saw Craig Ross to get down low to make a smart stop.

Second-half

It was 13 minutes into the second period before the first real effort on goal, with Adams once again on the end of it, but he got under it as it went flying over the crossbar.

Nya Kirby then tried his luck from range, but his effort just about lacked the power to cause Ross any issues in the Maidenhead goal.

Maidenhead’s most likely spell came from a spell of three successive corners when they pinned City’s defence back.

Kevin Lokko’s shots were blocked, before the second corner saw a City head clear over the crossbar. But the pressure was relieved when an effort from the edge of the box went flying over the bar.

In the final of four added minutes, City were awarded a free-kick just outside the box after Josh Parker was fouled, with Ashby’s effort hitting the wall.

Next up, a short turnaround as Boreham Wood visit Oxfordshire on Bank Holiday Monday!.