Match Preview: Oxford City (h)
Calum McIntyre’s men host Oxford City on Tuesday evening, after an impressive 2-1 victory over Chorley at the Deva Stadium on Saturday, courtesy of goals from Tom Peers and Harrison Burke.
Our midweek opponents’ form has improved since the start of October, but a miserable start to their campaign means the Hoops find themselves just one point above the bottom four after their opening 18 league outings.
Last season saw an immediate return to the sixth tier for the club, as they finished bottom of the National League, after a successful play-off campaign earned City promotion from the National League South in May 2023.
The Seals’ most recent meeting with the club came at the Deva in January 2013, as goals from Paul Linwood and Nathan Jarman secured a comfortable home win before Neil Young’s side went on to lift the National League North title in record-breaking fashion.
The Opponents
As previously mentioned, it has been a tough return to life in the sixth tier for Oxford City, in their first NLN campaign since 2015, when the club were transferred to the NLS.
The Hoops’ form has been inconsistent in November, as a three-match unbeaten run against Southport, Hereford and Scarborough Athletic was followed by consecutive defeats at the hands of Alfreton Town and Buxton.
Despite their lowly league position, Ross Jenkins’ side have the joint-best attacking record in the bottom half of the division, however the club are level with Needham Market for the most goals conceded to date.
The Gaffer
It has been a turbulent start to the season in the dugout at Court Place Farm, as Ross Jenkins was re-appointed as the boss in September, despite the fact that the 34-year-old left the club just three months earlier to join Boreham Wood.
Former Tottenham Hostpur academy coach Sam Cox was sacked after just nine league games at the helm, while Jenkins was also relieved of his duties at Meadow Park, which led to a swift return to Oxfordshire.
Despite last season’s relegation, the former Watford player’s first spell at City saw the club promoted to the fifth tier for the first time in their 142-year history.
Jenkins’ playing career saw the central midfielder sign for clubs in Romania, Bulgaria, Norway and Scotland, after a six-year stint with the aforementioned Hornets between 2008-2014.
One To Watch
Zac McEachran has been a key man for Oxford City so far this season, which is his seventh for the Hoops after his arrival from Banbury United in 2017.
The 29-year-old has worked in tandem with fellow forward Corie Andrews, and the pair have picked up 14 goal contributions between them in City’s 18 previous encounters.
McEachran has netted at crucial times this season, not least his 94th minute equaliser in the 1-1 draw with Scarborough Athletic earlier this month.
Three goals and two assists in the successes over Needham Market, Warrington Town and Radcliffe were also vital as his team moved outside the drop zone.
Zac’s older brother Josh McEachran played 22 games for Chelsea between 2010-2015 and featured significantly for England at youth level, but now also plies his trade in Oxford for United the Championship.
League form guide
Chester FC | W8 D4 L5 | F20 A17 | Pos: 8th
Last three
Darlington (A) | L 1-0 | Scorers: N/A
Needham Market (A) | W 1-0 | Scorers: Harrison Burke
Chorley (H) | W 2-1 | Scorers: Tom Peers, Harrison Burke
Oxford City | W4 D6 L8 | F25 A33 | Pos: 20th
Last three
Scarborough Athletic (H) | D 1-1 | Scorers: Zac McEachran
Alfreton Town (H) | L 2-1 | Scorers: Josh Parker
Buxton (A) | L 2-1 | Scorers: Jayden Carbon
Match Preview by Tom Bird.
MATCH DETAILS
Kick off is 7.45pm at The Deva Stadium on Tuesday night. The postcode for the ground is CH1 4LT.
MATCHDAY INFORMATION
For information on Admission Prices, Entry into the Stadium, Payment Methods, Allocated Seating and much more – visit chesterfc.com/matchdayinformation.
Tickets: Available online – CLICK HERE! Contactless card payments are available at the turnstile, with cash payments available at the Ticket Office.
The GWG Street Food Van will be open prior to the game, serving Burgers, Salt and Pepper Fries and of course – our Footy Scran favourite – loaded fries!
Ginger Cat Coffee are also on hand outside the ground providing their usual excellent selection of hot drinks and iced coffees!
The Cestrian Bar will be open until kick off and then post match, fully stocked with a wide selection of alcohol and soft drinks as well as showing all of the sporting action on the tv screens.
Inside the ground, the Kiosks will be serving their wider variety of Cottoms pies during the campaign, including Cottage Pies!
Matchday Programmes will be available to purchase from the Club Shop and our volunteer sellers around the ground, costing £3. If you are unable to get a programme on the day, they are available to buy online – CLICK HERE.
RIP MICHELLE, ALAN, NIGEL, PETER AND ALLAN
We have been devastated to learn of the passing of five much loved members of the Chester FC family over recent days.
The loss of Michelle Banks, Alan Vincent, and Nigel Clarke, who all volunteered at the Deva Stadium for many years, and lifelong supporters Allan Pemberton and Peter Povey, has deeply affected the football club.
In such difficult circumstances and in support of all those impacted by these losses, the club will come together to remember Michelle, Alan, Nigel, Peter and Allan by observing a minute’s silence prior to Tuesday’s game against Oxford City.
MATCHDAY COVERAGE
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A full time match report on ChesterFC.com: CLICK HERE