Match Preview | Oxford City v Morecambe
Hoops take on the Shrimps.
Oxford City return to the MGroup Stadium on Saturday afternoon, as they welcome 10th-placed Morecambe to OX3.
The clash comes as a resumption of league action following Emirates FA Cup Second Qualifying Round victories for both sides last weekend.
Indeed, City travelled to take on a stubborn Dorchester Town side last time out, with the hosts doing well to shut City out for much of the game, but late goals from Francillette and Marsh secured the Hoops a place in the next round.
The Shrimps also emerged 2-0 victors in their clash, as they hosted league rivals Southport, with goals from Paul Lewis and Isaac Buckley-Ricketts securing Morecambe a place in the Third Round Qualifying.
Morecambe come as an addition to the league this season, after a 22nd-placed finish in the Enterprise National League last campaign saw the team relegated for the third time since the 2022/23 season, in which they competed as a League One side.
It was a loss to Exeter City on the final day of that campaign that saw Morecambe relegated from League One, and their troubles continued as, after surviving their first season in League Two with a 15th-placed finish, they were relegated out of the EFL the following season.
A successive relegation followed, as they struggled to find their feet in the top tier of non-league football last campaign, but they have enjoyed better fortunes so far this season, travelling to Oxford with a strong run of results from recent clashes.
FIXTURE DETAILS
Oxford City vs Morecambe
The MGroup Stadium - Saturday 26th September - 3:00pm
Enterprise National League North
Referee: Thomas Wall Assistant Referees: Craig Patrick & Freddie Dutton Fourth Official: Richard Walker
FORM
OXFORD CITY - W W L W W
City head into the clash in fine league form, sitting second in the division and having only dropped points on three occasions this term.
The Hoops’ home form does remain mixed, having won two, drawn one, and lost one so far in OX3, but sitting just three points behind current league leaders Hereford is certainly something to be proud of.
The Hoops do go into the clash off the back of two lengthy away days, so they will be glad to be back on home turf come Saturday afternoon, and will hopefully carry the momentum of two successive convincing away wins with them.
MORECAMBE - W W L W W
Much like City, the Shrimps head into the game after back-to-back wins, one in the league and the other in the cup, and having lost just one in their last five.
Such form comes after a struggling start to the season in which it took Morecambe five attempts to register a league victory. Since then, they have picked up 9 out of a possible 12 points and progressed with an Emirates FA Cup win.
They do, however, have a troubled away form, having been on the road four times so far this term, and only bringing points home on one occasion, fortunes that they will be hoping to turn around upon their lengthy trip from Lancashire.
ONE TO WATCH - MYLES BONEY
City aren’t the only team in the league that are tallying up the clean sheets so far this season, with shot-stopper Myles Boney boasting an impressive 4 clean sheets in his last 5 games.
Interestingly, he didn’t start the season in between the sticks, with Joe Young starting the first four fixtures. Boney earned his first start against AFC Telford, which, on matchday 5, also saw the Shrimps claim their first win of the season with a 2-1 victory. Since then, he has conceded just twice, with both those goals coming in a 2-1 loss on the road against Southport, indicating that he will be difficult to beat come Saturday afternoon.
In June, Boney signed a new one-year contract at the club, extending his stay following his arrival in December 2025. That arrival came after a short stint at Matlock Town FC, but previous to that, and more notably, he played a pivotal role as shot-stopper for South Shields, with 80 clean sheets in 227 appearances, showing he regularly keeps his opponents off the scoresheet, and he’ll be aiming to make it a third successive clean sheet against the Hoops this weekend.
THE MANAGER - ADAM LAKELAND
Adam Lakeland joined as Shrimp's manager in April 2026, following a successful season in charge of FC Halifax Town, guiding them to an 8th-placed finish in the Enterprise National League, one place outside the play-offs. He also boasts managerial experience at Kings Lynn Town, where he oversaw a play-off placed finish in his final season, and coaching experience at Curzon Ashton, where he helped the side to back-to-back promotions.
Upon his appointment at Morecambe, the club praised Lakeland for his ability to foster strong team identity and build resilient, competitive squads. Although he suffered a turbulent start to the season as Shrimps boss, his recent run of form which sees the Shrimps defeated in just one of their last five shows that positive impact, a run he will be hoping to continue as his side target a swift return to the Enterprise National League.
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