Match Preview | Oxford City vs Braintree Town
Looking ahead to a visit from The Irons.
City prepare for a final friendly as they welcome Braintree Town to OX3.
City’s final test before a trip to Marine is when they welcome newly promoted National League side Braintree Town.
Sam Cox’s side have gathered plenty of minutes in the tank against some strong opponents, including Championship side Oxford United & National League side Sutton United. It’s been a good run out for City in Pre-Season.
As pre-season draws to close, it means that the NLN opening day is on the horizon.
As for the opposition, Braintree’s Pre-Season has been a mixed bag. Victories in their first three games was followed by heavy defeats from a Crystal Palace XI, Cambridge United and a narrow loss to Bromley FC.
FIXTURE DETAILS
Oxford City vs Braintree Town
Pre-Season Friendly
Court Place Farm - Saturday 3rd August - 15:00
Referee: Sam Read - Assistants: Roger Smith & Daniel Spyer
LAST TIME OUT
The last time these sides met was in the 2022/23 season. Zac McEachran's last-gasp equaliser saved the Hoops from defeat, earning City a 2-2 draw.
Braintree struck first after 56 minutes ,only for City to equalise 11 minutes later through Will Dawes. The Irons found themselves in front again with 10 minutes to go, but a last-gasp strike from Zac McEachran earned City a point at Court Place Farm.
ONE TO WATCH - Jacob Knightbridge
After signing a deal with Oxford United this summer, highly rated Goalkeeper Jacob Knightbridge signed a loan-deal with Braintree Town and will play a crucial part in the Iron’s season in the National League.
The 20-year old began life at Harrow Borough on a one-year loan where he featured three times. The then 19-year old spent 12 months at West Ham United Academy before partnering with Oxford United.
He also spent life in the Youth stages at England where he played three times between England U16 and U18.
His athleticism with incredible reaction shot-stopping saves makes Jacob our ‘One To Watch’, a player who has a bright future ahead of him. He also featured at Court Place Farm earlier in pre-season for Oxford United, making some impressive stops to deny the Hoops.
THE MANAGER - Angelo Harrop
Starting at Norwich City as a scout in 2012, Angelo Harrop brings a wealth of experience to Braintree.
After stepping down from Norwich in May 2020, Harrop was appointed as Head Coach at then Step 4 club AFC Sudbury in which he led them to a respectable seventh position in his first season.
The thirty-six year old then took the opportunity at National League South side Braintree Town, in which he became Head Coach in 2022/23. Harrop took the Irons to seventh during his first spell but narrowly missed out on promotion when they were defeated 2-1 by Worthing.
Next time round however, Braintree put things right in the play-offs. After finishing in a strong fifth position, they battled through the semi-finals away at Chelmsford City, beating them 2-3. A result which sent the Iron to the play-off final.
Harrop wasn't to make the same mistake twice, and this time they they got the better of Worthing in the Promotion Final, beating them 3-4 in extra time to seal promotion to the National League.
PLAYED FOR BOTH - Lewis Miccio
There’s always one! City’s Lewis Miccio has played for both The Hoops and Braintree Town, featuring most recently for The Irons in which he made 21 appearances during his 6-month loan spell.
Lewis began life at Oxford City in July 2022 where he made just under 50 appearances, finding the back of the net once during his time. A popular member of the squad, he was a key component in the squad that went on to seal promotion to the National League.
The Australian made a loan move to Braintree after 18 months at Court Place Farm, helping them earn promotion to the National League for the first time in five years.
