Match Preview: Oxford City vs Eastbourne Borough
Oxford City welcome Eastbourne Borough to the RAW Charging Stadium for their first game of the Vanarama National League South season. Here's everything you need to know before the game.
COUNTDOWN TO KICK-OFF
We're back! On Saturday Eastbourne Borough visit the RAW Charging Stadium as Oxford City kick-off the 2022/23 Vanarama National League South campaign.
Both teams have lost players from last season's play-off campaigns but in response, both have had impressive pre-seasons, meaning Saturday's game will be one of the most intriguing in the divison.
LAST TIME OUT:
What City fan could forget the last outing between the two sides? Back in May, the two sides met in the National League South Play-Off Eliminator with the Hoops emerging as 2-0 victors in front of an electric atmosphere.
Elliot Benyon powered home a header from Josh Ashby's cross in the first-half before George Harmon tapped home a cross at the back post to make sure City progressed to the Semi-Finals.
FORM:
OXFORD CITY
Last five games: LDWDD
The Hoops have faced some difficult opposition in their pre-season campaign but have impressed with some promising performances.
Ross Jenkins' didn't disgrace themselves against two Sky Bet League One sides with a 4-2 defeat to Oxford United and a 0-0 draw with Wycombe Wanderers. Two promotion chasing teams.
A 4-0 win over Stratford Town secured a first win in pre-season before playing out 1-1 and 3-3 draws with National League North sides Brackley Town and Gloucester City respectively.
EASTBOURNE BOROUGH:
Last five games: WDWWD
Danny Bloor's Eastbourne have had a very promising pre-season. Getting over the loss of last season's leading marksman Charley Kendall will be no easy task, but Borough seem to be adjusting to life after the striker.
As part of the striker's sale to Lincoln, Eastbourne's last pre-season friendly was against the Imps. Eastbourne finished pre-season with a 1-1 draw against the League One outifit but impressive wins against East Grinstead and Bexhill United has set them up well going into the season's curtain-raiser.
ONE TO WATCH: Lee Worgan
Despite all the attention on Eastbourne's forward line last season, Borough Goalkeeper Lee Worgan was a key reason why Danny Bloor's side reached the play-offs. An experienced pro, he's no stranger to this level making over 500 appearances in his career.
He made 200+ appearances at both Tonbridge Angels and Maidstone United whilst becoming one of NLS's best shot-stoppers.
Last season, Worgan kept ten clean-sheets and Borough's number one will hope to carry on that good form for the 2022/23 season.
WORD FROM THE CAMP: ROSS JENKINS
After last season's play-off campaign, Ross Jenkins has his sights firmly on producing another impressive season.
“If you ask every manager, they want to do better than last season.
“I thought we achieved something, but something isn’t enough – we need to keep going. I don’t have many hobbies, so I watch a lot of football and I know where we want to be.
“I feel with this group of players and the club’s ambition we won’t be too far away.
“The boys we retained are really important to this football club; they play for the badge, the club and the community and they’re well-liked by the fans.
“The fans enjoy what’s on the pitch and every player we retained gives 110 per cent every game and that’s the minimum expectation.”
TICKETS:
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(Online/On the turnstile)
Adults: £13/£15
Concessions: £8/£10
NHS Key Workers: £8/£10
Students & U18's: FREE
We also accept Bitcoin & lightning payments on the turnstile at the equivalent rate to our on-the-gate price.
HOW TO FOLLOW:
Twitter: @OxCityFC
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