Match Preview | South Shields v Oxford City
Hoops head North hoping for 3-in-a-row.
Oxford City make the long journey to South Shields on a Tuesday night for the second consecutive year as The Hoops look to make it three wins on the trot in the Enterprise National League North.
City look to back up victories over Hereford and Worksop with another three points over promotion-favourites South Shields.
Josh Ashby's late-late penalty last year, couple with Andre Burley's goal was enough to overturn the early Paul Blackett strike and City left the 1st Cloud Arena with all three points.
The Mariners are coming off the back of a loss to Merthyr Town and a draw at home King's Lynn putting them in their worst form of the season.
Oxford City Manager Ross Jenkins said: "We need to continue the momentum we have built in the league and push up the table.
"We know how good this opposition are and it will be a good litmus test to see where we are but we have enough quality to compete with anyone in this league as we've already shown."
FIXTURE DETAILS
South Shields v Oxford City
1st Cloud Arena – Saturday 17th November – 7:45pm
Enterprise National League North
Referee: John Mulligan Assistant Referees: Lewis Marriner & Simon Clayton Fourth Official: Matthew East
FORM
SOUTH SHIELDS - W L W D L
South Shields hadn't lost a game until they lost to Macclesfield away 1-0 putting an end to their 15-game unbeaten run (13 wins, 2 draws).
Since the Macclesfield game, they've managed four points, including a loss to high-flying Merthyr Town and a draw at home to King's Lynn.
If there was ever a good time to play South Shields, City may just be in that sweet spot...
OXFORD CITY - L D L W W
City are in their best form of the season having backed up their win against Hereford with a 2-0 win over Worksop. Issac Westendorf scored on his return to the starting 11.
With 7 points from their last five games, City have moved to within one point of safety and appear to have turned a corner since their winless two months run ended.
The quality has been on show throughout the season but the results have finally started to come along with the performances.
ONE TO WATCH - Paul Blackett
Blackett hasn't scored since his brace at Scarborough but does sit in right at the to pop the scoring charts with 9. His early prolificacy paid dividends in rocketing him up the scoring table.
A proven goalscorer at Vanarama National League North level, Paul Blackett signed for South Shields from Spennymoor in the summer of 2023.
Blessed with a poacher’s instinct and hard-working attitude, he has scored goals regularly at this level for Gateshead, Blyth Spartans and Spennymoor previously. Blackett scored 30 goals for the Mariners last season.
THE MANAGER - Ian Watson
Watson started his senior coaching journey in 2019 at Gateshead FC, working as Assistant Manager under Mike Williamson, where he enjoyed considerable success by winning the National League North title in the 2021/22 season, which was then followed immediately by reaching the final of the FA Trophy at Wembley Stadium in the 2022/23 season.
The blueprint of winning football, coupled with a hugely attractive playing style drew the attention of many EFL clubs, and in October 2023 Ian continued his successful partnership with Mike Williamson when he was appointed his Assistant Manager at MK Dons in League Two.
The pair then went on to guide MK Dons from a start position of 16th in the League 2 table to a play-off place by the end of the same season, with Watson building his reputation yet further for his progressive coaching concepts and the continued delivery of attractive, winning football.
In September 2024, the pair were appointed by Carlisle United, tasked with implementing a forward-thinking football philosophy. When Williamson departed the club in early 2025, Ian was retained as First Team Coach before returning to MK Dons the following month.
Watson signed for South Shields at the beginning of the season, following the departure of Elliot Dickman.
HOW TO FOLLOW
FOLLOW THE ACTION:
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There's also LIVE commentary on BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website.
