Match Preview | Marine v Oxford City
City back on the road.
Oxford City have their second consecutive away game as they make the trip to Marine on Saturday in the Enterprise National League North.
City are coming off the back of a defeat away to South Shields in midweek. Marine on the other hand, progressed in the FA trophy with a 2-0 win over Stocksbridge.
Marine currently sit in 8th position on 26 points after 17 games, while City languish in 22nd place with 15 points through 18 games.
The last time The Hoops faced Marine, Brad Stretton rescued a late point with a dramatic equaliser after Harvey Gregson put the Mariners in front early on. When they travelled to The MGroup Stadium, it was Lewis Coyle's goal directly from a corner which was enough for all three points.
Oxford City Manager Ross Jenkins said: "We have to bounce back. I thought we played well and the boys agreed with me so it wasn't a case of needing to pick the boys up, but we have to be ready for another challenge.
It's always a challenge when you're on the road and we will be ready for it."
FIXTURE DETAILS
Marine v Oxford City
Marine Travel Arena – Saturday 22nd November – 3:00pm
Enterprise National League North
Referee: Mark Bell Assistant Referees: Arran Williams & Luke Hood Fourth Official: Karl Parker
FORM
MARINE - W L D W W
The Mariners have earned 10 points in the last five games. Their three wins have come against Scarborough with a 2-1 win away from home, Leamington away and a 2-1 win away from home to Telford.
They've scored 19 goals in their 17 games, giving them the tied 4th worst record in the league, only Southport, Leamington and Peterborough Sports have worse record.
The Mariners have only kept one clean sheet in their last five games as well.
OXFORD CITY - D L W W L
City are coming off the back of a defeat to South Shields. Despite an early Josh Parker goal, the league leaders ended up on top.
That put an end to City's winning run after wins against Hereford and Worksop.
City's one-all draws with Leamington sticks out as a particularly sore result with the brakes scoring in the 94th minute with 10-men.
ONE TO WATCH - Matty McDonald
Matty played his youth football with Everton and Crewe Alexandra before moving to Warrington Town, joining Marine in summer 2025.
The creative midfielder made 42 appearances in the National League North last season for the Yellows.
McDonald already has four goals for Marine this season and has played a crucial role in their rise up the table.
Playing behind the striker, McDonald is a threat and he has the capabilities to hurt sides with his passing or his shooting.
THE MANAGER - Bobby Grant
Grant came through the youth system at Accrington Stanley, making his debut for the first at 16 years old, the youngest since 1959 and the second-youngest football league appearance maker in the history of the club.
Grant also made appearances for Scunthorpe, Rochdale, Blackpool and Wrexham before taking a player-coach role at Radcliffe. He became the full-time manager of Radcliffe after the Boro sacked Lee Fowler.
On 29 April 2023, he was announced to have departed the club by mutual consent. He had led the club to their highest league finish, defeat on the final day of the 2022–23 season denying the club a play-off place however.
In May, Marine appointed Grant as the manager.
HOW TO FOLLOW
FOLLOW THE ACTION:
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There's also LIVE commentary on BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website.
