Match Preview | Oxford City v Maidenhead United
The final game before the beginning of the season.
Oxford City welcome Maidenhead United to The MGroup Stadium for the final game of this year's pre season as The Hoops begin their final preparations for the big kick off. (Saturday 2nd August, 3pm Kick Off)
City have one more game in preparation for the first game of the season; away to recently-relegated AFC Fylde. Maidenhead were also relegated from the National League and the National League South opposition will be a tough test for Ross Jenkins and his squad.
The Magpies have looked strong in pre season and have gone unbeaten so far, with wins over Boreham Wood, West Ham, Flackwell Heath and a draw with Oxford United.
The Hoops are coming off the back of a loss to Chesham United at The Meadow but it was a good test for City as they faced another National League South opponent.
Oxford City Manager Ross Jenkins said: "The important thing is no one came off with an injury and everyone got the minutes in that they needed and that's what pre season is all about.
"The minutes are the most important thing at the moment and we worked our shape well, so it was a success."
FIXTURE DETAILS
Oxford City v Maidenhead United
The MGroup Stadium - Saturday 2nd August – 3:00pm
Pre Season Friendly
ONE TO WATCH - Corie Andrews
Former Oxford City frontman, Andrews. transferred to Maidenhead United following the conclusion of the 2024/25 season. Andrews bagged nine goals for the Hoops last season, finishing the season as City's top scorer.
The Crystal Palace academy graduate worked with former City Manager Sam Cox at Wealdstone before reuniting at The MGroup Stadium. He left Selhurst Park in 2019 and made a name for himself further down the pyramid with Whyteleafe and again with Kingstonian, his solid form soon had teams competing for his signature.
AFC Wimbledon were the team to acquire his services and he returned to professional football. However, game time was hard to come by at Plough Lane and a red-hot loan spell followed in the National League with Aldershot Town where the forward scored nine goals in twenty appearances.
Another loan spell with Colchester United followed he was released from the Dons and he joined National League side Torquay United.
His stay on the English Riviera lasted for only 12 matches as he joined National League side Wealdstone. Last season, his campaign was hampered by injury but he did still write his name into Stones’ folklore by scoring a 99th minute equaliser in a 1-1 draw with rivals Barnet last season.
THE MANAGER - Alan Devonshire
Devonshire has a track record of turning underdogs into contenders and he is insistent that Maidenhead United are aiming for promotion, despite their goalscoring ranks being thoroughly depleted. Without Shawn McClousky, Reece Smith and Tristan Abrahams, it could be a tough task for Devonshire and his staff.
Devonshire ended Maidenhead's trophy drought by winning the Isthmian League in 1996/97, their first trophy in 27 years. During his first spell at the club (1996-2003), Devonshire led the Magpies to four Bucks and Berks Senior Cups (1997/98, 98/99, 01/02 and 02/03).
He them moved to Hampton and Richmond Borough where he spent eight years taking them from Isthmian Division One South to the Conference South play-off Final. He spent a brief tenure at Braintree Town, stabilising the club in the National League before returning to Maidenhead United.
Devonshire has been at the club since 2015 and added a National League South title (2015) and another Bucks and Berks Senior Cup (2017) to his trophy cabinet.
The 69-year-old has surpassed 800 games in charge of the Magpies, making him the longest serving Manager in the club's history.
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