Saturday, 20 October 2012

PREVIEW: Accrington Stanley Home (20/10/12)

Oxford are hoping for a speedy recovery from Monday's disappointing defeat to Port Vale, with Accrington the visitors at the Kassam. The temptation for some is to view home games against the smaller sides in the league as gimmes, but anyone who has watched our previous games with Accy will know that won't be the case. They're a good side and will come here looking for a win.

Arguably, they need one; Accrington are yet to win in October and they have conceded six goals in their last two matches, prompting the players to apologise to the fans after their 3-1 defeat at Torquay last weekend. But Accrington can be relatively pleased with their season so far, finding themselves just two points behind the play-off positions with a game in hand on their rivals.

So with both sides looking to recover from poor defeats in their last outing, this match presents a chance for recovery. And both Oxford and Accrington appear set to make changes in an attempt to put right previous errors. Chris Wilder appears to be trying to rush some of the more experienced players back from injury in an attempt to get as many leaders on the pitch as possible – and with captain Jake Wright suspended it will be needed. Andy Whing looks set to start his first game of the season, despite having only just come back from injury.

There is only a very short history of matches between the two teams, the first of which came in the 2010-11 season. We have never lost to Accrington, but have also never beaten them at the Kassam, so history (of a rather inconsequential sort) could be made this weekend. Despite the relatively limited playing history between Oxford and Accrington, the two clubs' respective histories are perhaps more intimately linked than they would initially appear. Oxford were able to take their place in the Football League after Accrington Stanley resigned in 1962 and by extreme coincidence it was Accrington who took our Football League place upon their return in 2006.

Also This Weekend

The youths are at home again this Saturday – this time to Hereford United in the Youth Alliance Cup, following their 1-0 victory over Bournemouth in their last cup game. Hereford come into the game off the back of a 3-0 FA Youth Cup victory over Atherstone in the 3rd qualifying round. The high-flying ladies team are also back in action on Sunday, at home to Exeter City. The ladies are currently top the South West Combination (though Keynsham Town have a game in hand and superior goal difference) and on an eight-game winning streak. Exeter are currently fifth, having beaten Newquay 3-1 in their last match. The ladies reserves are also top of their league, the Southern Region Division One North, as they travel to fifth-placed Gosport Borough.


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