Match Preview | Oxford City v Chorley
City back at The MGroup Stadium
Oxford City host Chorley at The MGroup Stadium as the tension rises as the Enterprise National League North draws to a close.
If this game ends in a draw, all four fixtures between these two sides will have ended up without a winner. However, the 3-3 earlier in the season was thoroughly entertaining.
Tom Scott opened the scoring before Darnell Johnson double the Hoops' lead. Chorley clawed one back before Tom Scott added another onto his tally. The Magpies managed to find two goals in the last 25 minutes, including an injury time equaliser from Henley.
Both sides come into the game in similar form with City on eight points in the last five games and Chorley on seven.
The magnitude of the game for The Hoops cannot be underestimated as they look to put some daylight between themselves and the bottom four. Every three points they can pick up between now and the end of the season are huge.
Oxford City Manager Ross Jenkins said: "Every game is important now, but we have to take it one at a time. The lads are feeling good and we have to get that feeling and the momentum going.
"We know how good Chorley can be and we have to prepare as well as we can for that."
FIXTURE DETAILS
Oxford City v Chorley
The MGroup Stadium - Saturday 21st March – 3:00pm
Enterprise National League North
Referee: Grace Lowe Assistant Referees: Manny Chandwani & Benjamin Schofield Fourth Official: Callum Lockley
FORM
OXFORD CITY - D W L D W
The Hoops are in the top 10 sides in the league in terms of form, with eight points in their last five games. Form, which extended over the length of the season, would be good enough to challenge for the playoffs.
The 3-1 win away to Southport will boost spirits as City make the final dash for safety. However, their home form still raises cause for concern.
Winless the last four at The MGroup Stadium and just the one goal scored, which came against South Shields. Hopefully, The Hoops can return to the home form of recent months.
CHORLEY - L W D L W
Chorley have underperformed on the road, if you compare it to their form at Victory Park. Two of their four away wins have come in the last five fixtures as the Magpies impressively beat Macclesfield and Merthyr.
The latest win for Chorley came at home in the form of a 2-1 win over Kidderminster. The only concern for Chorley will be the lack of clean sheets in recent weeks. The Magpies haven't kept a clean sheet since they hosted Spennymoor in late November.
Chorley have scored in eight of the last eleven games and their scoring record is impressive this season.
ONE TO WATCH - Jack Sampson
Sampson originally came through the Wigan Athletic system but a transfer in 2008 to Bolton opened some doors for the youngster and he was soon touted for a move to big clubs.
Sampson then joined Southend on loan and came on to replace former Oxford City player, Elliot Benyon in a 5-2 win over Northampton Town.
Despite never playing a first-team appearance for Bolton, Sampson moved to Morecambe, where he made his debut in an expected defeat to Wycombe Wanderers. He them moved to Macclesfield, had a spell on loan at Chorley, Southport and Fylde before signing permanently for Chorley in 2022.
The target man was also voted as Clubman of the Year at Chorley 2023/24.
THE MANAGER - Andy Preece
Former Premier League forward, Preece was appointed as Chorley’s manager in May 2022 after serving as the club’s director of football and assistant manager for the previous four years.
He began his career at Worcester City, before taking time out of the game. He then signed for Wrexham in 1990.
In 1991, he moved to Stockport County and enjoyed his most prolific period of his career, scoring 42 in 97 league games and earning himself a move to Premier League Crystal Palace.
Preece began his managerial career as player-manager for Bury and in April 2023, celebrated his 750th games as a manager.
HOW TO FOLLOW
FOLLOW THE ACTION:
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There's also LIVE commentary on BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website.
