Match Preview | Hebburn Town v Oxford City
City on the road again.
Oxford City return to Enterprise National League North action this weekend, following their progression into the final qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup last time out.
Indeed, the Hoops ended Enfield Town’s unbeaten away record as they ran out 6-1 victors at the MGroup Stadium on a weekend of rest for their next competitors, Hebburn Town. In that, the Hornets had a rare Saturday afternoon off following their exit from the cup in the Second Qualifying Round.
Now, attention turns to the next league clash, as City make the lengthy journey up north to take on a Hebburn Town side who, last season, won the Northern Premier League Premier Division to secure promotion to the sixth tier for the first time in their history.
MATCH DETAILS
Hebburn Town vs Oxford City
Saturday 10th October | Enterprise National League North | 3pm
Referee: Jacob Viera | Assistant Referees: Bradley Maw & Matthew Bacon | Fourth Official: Lee Hible
FORM
HEBBURN - L W L D W
The Hornets enjoyed a strong start to the campaign, going unbeaten in their first five league fixtures, which bears much of the responsibility for their current hold on 5th place as, since then, they haven’t enjoyed such form.
Indeed, in the league, they have won just one of their last five, and, in that period, have also bowed out of the Emirates FA Cup. That exit came as they hosted a Guiseley side that ran out 4-1 victors in the Second Qualifying Round back on September 19th.
Minus the cup exit, however, Hebburn have shown strength on home turf, with an unbeaten home run in the league so far this campaign. Of their five home ties in the division, they have won four, only dropping points to a Chester side who entertained a 1-1 draw.
A strong home run continued on Tuesday night, as they progressed in the Durham Challenge Cup with a 4-2 victory over Crook Town, indicating that they will be tough to face at the Trustmark Group Stadium.
OXFORD CITY - L W W D W
The Hoops head into the clash unbeaten in four, their last loss coming against AFC Telford back on September 8th.
Those four include a dominant win on the road against Radcliffe, and two convincing Emirates FA Cup victories either side of Alfie Potter’s injury-time leveller against Morecambe.
City have certainly been strong on the road so far this campaign, having lost just once as the travelling side.
Evidence of their strength as the away side, if you were to look at the league table based on away form, the Hoops would sit top.
Their current unbeaten run, paired with their consistent away form, provides the momentum needed for Jenkins’ side to get a positive result on Saturday afternoon, as they look to bring all three points back to OX3.
ONE TO WATCH - JAKE CHARLES
One who had a fast start to the season was Jake Charles, who netted five in as many games as the campaign got underway, with Worksop Town the only side to keep him off the scoresheet in the Hornets’ first five fixtures.
Football runs in the family for Charles, his grandfather being the Welsh footballer known as the “Gentle Giant”, John Charles, who enjoyed success with both Leeds United and Juventus, as well as earning 38 caps for the Wales National Team.
Charles did represent Wales, doing so at under-17, under-19, and under-21 levels, and has enjoyed spells at numerous non-league sides, including then fifth-tier York City, Stalybridge Celtic, Stafford Rangers, and Scarborough Athletic, amongst others.
Signing from Whitby Town in the Summer, Charles certainly made a quick impression as life as a Hornet got underway, but since those opening five fixtures, he has struggled to continue in such form, so he will be one determined to return to the scoresheet come Saturday afternoon.
THE MANAGER - DANIEL MOORE
Daniel Moore was appointed Hornets’ manager in April 2022, making club history with their promotion to Step 2 last season, and now taking on his fifth season at the helm.
His appointment came after he left Shildon on April 27th, 2022, following a playing career in which he amassed just short of 500 appearances over two spells before taking charge from the dugout in 2017. During that stint, he led the club to three top-six finishes in the Northern League, and earned a maiden promotion to the Northern Premier League in 2021.
Prior to his time at Shildon, Moore gave eight years’ service to the Armed Forces, a period of his life which he believes shapes much of the leader he is today.
In a connection to the league he finds himself in today, he captained Spennymoor Town to their FA Vase victory in 2013, playing a crucial part in their road to Wembley, but missing the final event due to an ankle break.
Now, it is crucial that he can inspire his side back to winning ways, as they hope to remain in the play-off places as the matchday comes to a close.
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