Match Preview | Oxford City v Southport
City aiming to build on promising performances
Oxford City host Southport at The MGroup Stadium this weekend for what will almost certainly be another nail biting affair in the Enterprise National League North.
Both sides have made hard work of their starts to the league campaign as 22nd (Oxford City) takes on 24th (Southport) but City will be buoyed by the impressive outing against Chorley last weekend, which backs up the performances from previous weeks despite not earning the results their performances deserved.
Southport's last competitive game was a 3-1 home defeat to Halifax in the final qualifying round of the FA Cup.
City have conceded the most goals in the league this season, while Southport have scored the least, so the scoreline is anyone's guess but the form book suggests City should come out on top.
Oxford City Manager said: "We put in another good performance on the weekend but again, it was moments that killed us.
"But, we're doing the right things, the boys are preparing well and listening to the instructions we are giving them so in that aspect I'm happy but we need the results to validate our performances."
FIXTURE DETAILS
Oxford City v Southport
The MGroup Stadium – Saturday 18th October – 3:00pm
Enterprise National League North
Referee: Lee Hible Assistant Referees: Julia Kings & David Hinton Fourth Official: Isaac Blakey
FORM (League Only)
OXFORD CITY - W L L L D
The Hoops are coming off the back of an intense 3-3 draw away at Chorley, which on paper might be a palatable result, but given the dominance which City had over The Magpies, they left Victory Park feeling they had let another couple of points slip away.
The defeats to Curzon Ashton and Scarborough follow a similar pattern. It's been moments in games which have cost City throughout the opening stages of this season.
The 5-0 win over Alfreton still stands as a benchmark for the quality and ruthlessness which City can play with and they will certainly be looking to get back to winning ways on Saturday.
SOUTHPORT - L L L D L
Southport have had a torrid time in the opening weeks of the season. Their solitary league win came in Matchweek 2 against newly-promoted Bedford Town and since then, thy have gone winless, picking up one point.
That one point did come against high-flying South Shields as the Sandgrounders managed to contain The Mariners' lethal strike force in a 0-0 stalemate.
Their last league game, which was a couple of weeks ago due to their progression in the FA Cup, was a 2-0 defeat away to Spennymoor.
Southport lost in the final qualifying round of the FA Cup, 3-1 at home to Halifax on the weekend.
ONE TO WATCH - Arthur Gnahoua
Gnahoua rejoined the Sandgrounders this season after impressing in pre-season and he's been their top scorer so far this season with two. Arthur was part of the squad last season, arriving on a non-contract basis back in February. However, his appearances were limited following an unfortunate eye injury, picked up in the fixture against Farsley Celtic.
He also has bags of Football League experience with spells at Morecambe, Carlisle and Grimsby Town. The 32-year-old also made over 50 appearances for Kidderminster Harriers between 2016 and 2017 where he netted 16 times.
Gnahoua also spent time overseas after signing for Spanish side CF Gava, who play in the top division of the autonomous Catalonian league. He was there for a year before his transfer to Kidderminster.
THE MANAGER - Neil Danns
Danns took charge of The Sandgrouders after David Morgan left the club to pursue other opportunities. His early tenure at the club was marred by a suspended suspension and fine from The Football Association pertaining to a historic betting matter from Neil's playing career.
Danns chose to leave the Liverpool academy and sign for Blackburn Rovers at 16 and was rewarded by Graeme Souness with a first team debut against CSKA Moscow in the UEFA Cup in 2002. He made his Premier League debut shortly after, having appeared as a substitute in a 1-0 win over Leeds United.
After spells with Colchester and Birmingham City, Danns moved to Crystal Palace, signing a three and a half year deal and became an influential member of the starting eleven under Neil Warnock. Financial difficulties at the club, forced Palace to accept a bid from Southampton for Danns.
Neil Danns would eventually finish his career at Macclesfield in 2023 having been player-manager for a season before taking on the management role full time.
He won the Northern Premier League Division One West with Macclesfield but left at the end of the season to become assistant manager at Tranmere Rovers.
Danns was appointed manager at National League North side Southport on 12 May 2025.
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