Terrific ten-men Hoops win three on the spin away from home.



Worksop Town 0

Oxford City 1

Pollock 55'

Ten-man Oxford City’s flawless run on the road continued in Enterprise National League North with a superb win over Worksop Town. 

After an entertaining first-half (which somehow ended goalless) City took the lead ten minutes into the second-half after Scott Pollock blasted home from inside the box. 

However, the game threatened to turn on its head after a second yellow card for Tyrone Marsh was brandished for an alleged challenge with Worksop ‘keeper Dearnley. 

Despite that, the Hoops controlled the game and defended with their lives to secure another big win on the road and ride to third in ENLN. 

Ross Jenkins made two changes to the side that were looking to bounce back from defeat just three days ago. 

Deago Nelson was handed a full debut as he replaced Keegan Bloom. Whereas Darnell Johnson returned to the starting XI to replace Canice Carroll. 

The first-half was as entertaining as goalless 45 minutes can get. Ludwig Francillette thought he’d given the Hoops an early lead after heading home a cross, only to be denied by the linesman’s flag. 

The game’s pendulum kept swinging, but Jonny Maxted and his back four were determined to keep a clean sheet from the get-go. They were at their best to deny the hosts a sniff after a goal-mouth scramble. 

Again, city should have led though… The ever lively Ellis Brown was at his best throughout, and when he burst through on goal, he unselfishly squared the ball to Marsh, only for him to drag a shot inches wide. 

At the other end, Maxted made a stunning stop to deny Worksop at point-blank range to keep the game goalless… somehow. 

Half Time: Worksop 0-0 Oxford City

City kept their finger on the pulse after the break. Francillette was dominating the box and again should’ve headed home. The travelling Shed End were making a real racket right next to the goal the Hoops were attacking.

Perhaps that was what gave City the extra % to break the deadlock?

On 55’ it was Pollock who got the goal, but credit must go to the duo of Marsh and Brown. 

Brown tormented his marker on the left wing, shifted his body and crossed into the box. Marsh lost his marker, and nodded the ball directly into Pollock's path to smash home. 0-1 to the Hoops. Que limbs in the away end!

Again, it was the same old story. City couldn’t finish the game off. Francillette again went close from a corner, and then a moment of controversy…

Josh Ashby’s corner was swung-in and Worksop 'Keeper Dearnley flapped at the ball. The corner went straight into the net 0-2… Or so it should’ve been! The referee apparently saw a foul on the ‘keeper and ruled out a second goal. Watching the replay, we’re not sure! 

City’s luck was clearly out, because just after the hour mark, the team were reduced to ten-men. 

A loose ball was chased by Dearnley and Marsh before a 50/50 clash was given against City’s striker. A second yellow card followed and for 25 minutes, City had an uphill task on the road.

In hindsight though… a win was never in doubt. Maxted was rarely troubled and if the ball was a brick, the duo of Johnson and Francillette would’ve still headed it away! 

Even with ten, city could’ve doubled the lead. Dejan Tetek, a very good option for man of the match, was played through on goal and was hacked down. Josh Ashby forced a save from the ‘keeper from the resulting free-kick. 

From there, nobody was beating the Oxford boys, and a third away win on the trot followed. A performance full of grit, determination and heart earned what feels like an incredibly big three points (even at this early stage of the season). 

Onto Chorley (home / Sat 5 Sep - 3pm) on Saturday! 

Oxford City Starting XI: Maxted, Humphries, Ashby, Francillette, Johnson, Pollock (McEachran 82'), Tetek, Marsh, Brown, Bateman (Potter 77'), Nelson.

Subs Not Used: Bloom, Carroll, Daniel, Kauan, Moir