Match Preview | Marine v Oxford City
Hoops travel to Merseyside.
Yet another lengthy away day awaits the Hoops, with a trip to Merseyside on Saturday afternoon, as City look to extend their six-game unbeaten run.
Both sides head into the clash having progressed into the First Round of the Emirates FA Cup last time out, with the Mariners overcoming Hartlepool 2-0 away from home. An afternoon that needs no reminder, it was Scott Pollock’s goal that proved the decisive moment in City’s Fourth Qualifying Round tie, as he tucked into the far corner to secure his side a place in the First Round.
When these two came face to face at Rossett Park last season, the spoils were shared, as a goalless draw played out. Recent history suggests that these sides like to share points in Merseyside as, the previous season, City drew with the Mariners on the opening day of the campaign, with an injury-time equaliser earning the Hoops a point.
Much like City, Marine are currently in strong form, with both sides’ last loss coming back on September 8th. Both teams will now look to carry that momentum forward, meaning we are in for a fantastic battle on Saturday afternoon.
MATCH DETAILS
Marine AFC vs Oxford City
Saturday 24th October | Enterprise National League North | 3pm
Referee: Shaun Taylor | Assistant Referees: Mohd Sarwari & Michael Johnson Gurney | Fourth Official: Brandon Blackham
FORM
MARINE - W W W W W
An impressive recent record sees a seven-game winning streak across all competitions for the Mariners, registering clean sheets in their last three.
This contradicts their turbulent start to the season, in which they won just two of their first eight clashes. Then came the turn of form against Darlington on September 12th, with the Mariners winning every game since.
Four of those seven clashes, however, have come in cup competitions (three Emirates FA Cup, one Liverpool Senior Cup), leaving their league form to remain mixed. Indeed, the Mariners currently sit 16th, with five wins and six losses thus far. They do, however, boast a three-game winning streak in the league, and with the momentum of recent victories behind them, they will be tough to overcome in Merseyside.
OXFORD CITY - W D W W W
City have been in fine form recently, having lost just twice all season, and having quite the away form. Indeed, if the table was based only on away form, the Hoops would be five points clear at the top.
Moreover, clean sheets are becoming increasingly common for City, with Jonny Maxted and his defence successfully keeping 8 out of a possible 14 so far this season. In that, when looking at the league stats, only Hereford Town, who currently sit in second, have conceded fewer league goals than City this season, with 6 compared to City’s 7. Again, it is only Hereford who have a better goal difference than City, a testament to the work at both ends of the pitch.
Now, the Hoops look to continue in such form, as they attempt to make it seven games unbeaten, and keep a strong away form intact.
ONE TO WATCH - COLE SIMMS
The young Wigan Athletic striker joined the Mariners on a one-month loan on October 14th, and is certainly known to be a threat in front of goal. In fine form for Wigan’s U21s, he is the Professional Development League’s current top scorer, with ten goals in eight games.
He played 73 minutes of the Mariners’ FA Cup tie against Hartlepool at the weekend, indicative of the ability the club believes he has as they integrated him straight into the starting XI.
Now, with some minutes under his belt for Marine, he will be looking to continue his fine goalscoring form at his new club, and will see Saturday afternoon as the perfect opportunity to do just that.
THE MANAGER - BOBBY GRANT
Bobby Grant was appointed Marine manager in May 2025, following his retirement from an illustrious playing career that saw him succeed both in the EFL and non-league divisions, with teams such as Shrewsbury, Wrexham, Blackpool, and Fleetwood populating his resume.
He ended his playing career in Merseyside, playing a key role in the Mariners’ first-ever promotion to tier 6 in the 2023/24 season, as well as returning from injury in the second half of the following season to help secure safety.
Managing Marine isn’t his first taste of leadership, however, having previously adopted a player-manager role during his stint at Radcliffe FC. That experience, combined with that of his playing career, saw a strong first season at the helm, leading his side to the semi-finals of the Isuzu FA Trophy, as well as a respectable 12th-placed finish in the division.
Following that success, Grant signed a new two-year contract with the club in April 2026, and is certainly enjoying recent form, something he will be determined to keep up as his side hosts the Hoops.
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