Match Preview | South Shields v Oxford City
Hoops ready for long journey North.
Oxford City return to South Shields for a midweek clash up North in the Vanarama National League North (7:45pm KO). It's the rearranged fixture from when City travelled up there only to find a frozen pitch from a couple of months ago.
City ventured to Derbyshire to face Alfreton on the weekend, only to be held to a point in what can be described as a scrappy game. City will be hoping to get three points for the first time in a while.
Earlier in the season, South Shields came to The MGroup Stadium and left with all the spoils after a Paul Blackett brace. Corie Andrews brought the Hoops level inside five minutes but it wasn't enough as the Mariners ran away with it.
South Shields currently sit 13th in the National League North and after just missing out on the play-offs last season, the Mariners would have hoped for more from this season.
FIXTURE DETAILS
South Shields v Oxford City
1st Cloud Arena – Tuesday 18th March – 7:45pm
Vanarama National League North
Referee: Robert Claussen Assistant Referees: Paul Mosley & Elliot Cowens Fourth Official: Christopher Ellis
Form (League Only)
SOUTH SHIELDS- L L W W L
With two wins in the last five fixtures and five wins in the last ten fixtures, South Shields are desperate for some form of consistency. The Mariners are reeling from a 5-0 defeat to Kidderminster on the weekend and will look to bounce back against City.
Over the last eight games, South Shields have improved on their points per game season average. Over the course of the season they have picked up 1.37 yet in recent ,months have managed 1.50.
They are an impressive side at home however, they have picked up 1.74 points per game at home and won 10 of the 19 fixtures held at the 1st Cloud Arena.
OXFORD CITY - L D D L D
The Hoops will be disappointed not to get more than a point from the trip to Alfreton on the weekend but it does extend the winless streak for the Hoops. The confidence and quality is there for City to make a real impact toward the end of the season though.
Impressive draws against strong opposition in Chester and Scunthorpe, followed up by being held to a point by Alfreton highlights the quality that City have and they will be looking to end the winless run.
City had an impressive away form before the turn of the year and will be hoping to return to that as they make a long journey north.
THE MANAGER - ELLIOT DICKMAN
It’s been a year since Dickman was appointed caretaker manager of South Shields and his first full season in charge has been a success so far.
Dickman began his coaching career at Sunderland’s Youth Academy where he spent eight years before moving to manage their U23 side
.
The 46-year-old then moved to manage Newcastle’s U23 side, before finding himself at South Shields.
His brother Jonjo Dickman made a Premier League appearance for Sunderland in the early 2000’s.
ONE TO WATCH - PAUL BLACKETT
Blackett is currently top scorer for the National League North with 22, two of which came against City when they met earlier in the year. Blackett also had a couple assists to go with his brace as the Mariners beat the Hoops 4-1.
The 26-year-old also scored 29 goals in his 23 games last season, his first season with South Shields, and picked up the Player of the Year award for his prolificacy in front of goal.
Blackett began his career at Whitby before moves to Gateshead, Blyth Spartans and Spennymoor. He’s a proven striker at this level and will prove to be a handful for the City backline this week.
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