Oxford
return to Yorkshire for the second time in a week with the hope of a
better outcome, as they resume their League Two campaign against York
City for the first time since the Conference
play-off final in 2010. York returned to the Football League via
the Wembley
route with victory over Luton Town, after an eight-year
non-league exile.
As an
Oxford United fan living in York, the upcoming game on Saturday was
one of the first I looked out for when the fixtures were released.
Many of my closest friends are York fans and I’m no stranger to
accompanying them in the David Longhurst stand myself as well as away
days to Fleetwood and Alfreton last season. However, when it comes to
York v Oxford, there is no question of where my support lies and that
is with the Yellows! Ahead of Saturday’s game, I caught up with
York fan Ian Jones and
asked him a few questions for TBFUTH…
In
the end it wasn't much of a contest. Oxford didn't play badly –
though perhaps not quite as well as we are capable of – but were
beaten by a team that was superior in every department.
Oxford
City snatched a draw with the last kick of a match in which all the
action was saved for the final few minutes. The draw leaves City just
outside the play-off positions in sixth and unbeaten in their last
three games. Their guests arrived at Court Place Farm unbeaten so far
this season and in fourth pace in the table – another formidable
test for Mike Ford's side.
We've
had some decent League Cup ties in the last few seasons, and this has
to be up there with the best of them. A trip to Championship giants
Leeds United was the reward for overcoming Bournemouth in
the first round, and it will be the first time an Oxford side has
travelled to Elland Road since a 1998 FA Cup match which ended in
a 4-0
defeat.
It's
a good time to be an Oxford United supporter, as we all bask in what
has been an ideal start to the season. However, perhaps the most
interesting facet of our early success has been the players who have
made it happen.
With
Oxford currently sitting top of the embryonic League Two table, we
welcome Plymouth Argyle to the Kassam next.
As is
often the case at the start of the season the games are coming thick
and fast. The Kassam hosts its first league match of the season with
the visit of a Southend side who, much like Saturday's opponents, are
eying promotion.
Oxford
kicked off their league campaign in style with an away win over a
much-fancied Bristol Rovers side. Unfortunately, TBFUTH couldn't be
there to witness it! So, in the absence of a proper match report,
here is the match according to Twitter. If you would be interested in
penning a few match reports for us this season, we would be very
interested to hear from you. Just email tbfuth@hotmail.co.uk!
On this
day 50 years ago, Oxford celebrated one of the most momentous days in
the club's history. On August 18th 1962, almost 70 years
after the club was formed, Oxford United played their first ever
Football League match.
Oxford begin their league campaign
this weekend with a trip to the Memorial Ground to face Bristol Rovers. All
eyes will be on James Constable after the Pirates’ continued
interest in the striker, but Wilder is ‘100 per
cent’ certain that he will still be an Oxford player come kick off. A good
performance from him will certainly raise the asking price, but he was off the
pace in Tuesday’s cup victory over Bournemouth
and it will be concerning if his poor form so far in 2012 carries over into the
new season.
Oxford
kicked off their season in style with a tense victory over League One
Bournemouth on penalties. It was a fairly even match with relatively few
chances and both sides seemed happy to give their opponents plenty of time on
the ball – something which always tends to benefit United’s style of play.