Match Preview | Oxford City v Fleet Town
Hoops host Fleet Town.
Oxford City seek back-to-back wins for the first time this campaign, as they host Fleet Town on Sunday afternoon.
Last time out, second-half goals from Kate Parsons, Hermione Prescott-Luke, and Yasmin Edwards saw the Hoops to a 3-0 home victory against Beaconsfield Town. In that clash, Aimee Flood and her defence kept their impressive record, with another clean sheet meaning they have still only conceded twice in the league this season, the best record in the division.
They now host a Fleet Town side that they have already faced this season, with the reverse fixture taking place on the opening day of the campaign. Edwards and Parsons were again on the scoresheet that day, alongside Meira Ashby in a 3-0 victory.
When the Hoops hosted the Blues last season, the teams shared the points after an 83rd-minute goal from Parsons, followed by an 87th-minute goal from Ellie White, recovered a two-goal deficit.
City will be hoping to do one better this time round, and seize all three points against a Fleet Town side who currently hover just above the drop zone, with three points seeing them sit in tenth place.
MATCH DETAILS
Oxford City vs Fleet Town
Sunday 25th October | Southern Region Women's Football League | 3pm
FORM
OXFORD CITY - L W D L W
A mixed start to City’s league campaign sees them sit sixth, having won two, drawn one, and lost one of their opening four fixtures. On seven points, with a game (and in some cases two games) in hand over the teams above them, a climb up the table is certainly on the cards.
Their chances will be massively helped if they can maintain their strong defensive record, but it's not only the defence that deserves their praise. Indeed, the Hoops attack is in fine form, with Edwards boasting six in as many games, and Parsons only one behind her. Moreover, a positive sign is that City have largely shared the scoring responsibility, with ten different goalscorers so far this term, showing that the Hoops’ threat in front of goal comes from all over the field.
City will need to continue their form at both ends of the pitch on Sunday, as they look to obtain their first league double of the season.
FLEET TOWN - L W L L L
It’s been a difficult start to the season for the Blues, having won just one of the opening seven ties, that being against a struggling Woodley United side.
Amongst those losses, they bowed out of both the Women’s FA Cup and the Hampshire FA Women’s Senior Cup at the first hurdle, the first exit coming as a 7-1 loss against Winchester City Flyers, whilst the latter Cup competition saw a 3-1 defeat against Bournemouth Women Reserves.
Searching for a change in fortunes, Fleet will be looking to end a three-game winless run on Sunday afternoon, as they hope to put some points between themselves and the drop zone.
ONE TO WATCH - LAYLA DRURY
Whilst Fleet haven’t got off to the ideal start to the season, Layla Drury is one that City know to be a threat, as she netted against the Hoops in both the home and away ties last season.
Indeed, she was in the league’s top 15 goalscorers last term, netting 11 in 18 appearances. She may be yet to find the same form this season, but she has been key for the Blues, most notably as she netted the winning goal against Woodley back on September 27th.
Knowing the threat she can pose, City should be wary of her ability on Sunday afternoon, as she looks to swiftly return to goalscoring ways.
THE MANAGER - PHIL HEMMINGS
First team coach Phil Hemmings took charge as caretaker manager for the Blues last fixture, with Craig Hayman stepping away from the role after his two-year stint, his success evident in Fleet’s promotion to the Southern Region Premier Division in the 2024/25 season.
Now, Hemmings takes the reins whilst the club searches for someone to fill Hayman’s position, but he didn’t have the ideal start to life at the helm, losing out to Bournemouth Sports Women’s Reserves last weekend.
He, however, took charge the morning of the fixture, so had little time to make his impression. Now, after a week at the wheel, he will have had the opportunity to prepare his side accordingly, almost making it an unknown how he will set up his side on Sunday, and how that will differ from the side City faced last month.
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