The Peacocks begin a run of three consecutive home matches in the Vanarama National League South when they entertain Oxford City at the Cygnet Health Care Stadium tomorrow evening (21st February), ko 7.45pm.
With home advantage over the next week Town will be aiming to maximise their points return against City and the visits of Dover Athletic on Saturday and Eastbourne Borough the following Tuesday. Two successive defeats for the Peacocks have not helped their cause as they seek to climb to mid-table safety but they will have taken plenty of heart from their performance on Saturday at high-flyers Havant & Waterlooville who had to rely on a stoppage time winner to snatch a 3-2 win, a result which leaves Town unchanged in 17th spot.
Tomorrow will prove another tough challenge under the Cygnet lights with their visitors in a rich vein of form. Since losing to Slough on Boxing Day, City have embarked on an unbeaten run of eight League games, six of which have been won including their last five, with their most recent games producing 3-0 wins over Welling and promotion rivals Worthing. That sequence has put Oxford in 4th place and in good shape to participate in the Play-Offs come the end of the season. The Peacocks are going to have to be on their game then to get anything from a side which won the first encounter between the sides four months ago.
Striker Nick McCootie is back in the squad following illness while several players who are carrying knocks are a lot closer to a full return. Head of Football Rob Dray said:” It’s another massive ask tomorrow after the fine margins of Saturday when we take on a side very much in form and sitting in 4th place. This league is unforgiving but if we show what we did on Saturday we will be very hard to beat. Being at home is always a positive for us so we look forward to the next three games to put another little run together.”
Matchnight Information
Turnstiles, Bar, Club Shop and Refreshment Outlets open at 6.00pm
Admission is payable by card or cash at the turnstile only, priced at £12 for Adults, £10 for Concessions and £5 for Juniors (14-17 years). Under 14’s are free on condition they are accompanied by an adult. Unaccompanied Under 14’s will not be admitted.
Printed Match Programmes will be available to purchase tomorrow from the Club Shop
The programme is also available to read online HERE
We extend our grateful thanks to tomorrow’s Match Sponsors Diggers N Dumpers Ltd
Last meeting: Oxford won the earlier meeting of the sides back in October after a controversial end to the game. Dave Sims-Burgess cancelled out Andre Burley’s opener for the hosts before a stoppage time penalty from Joe Iaciofano snatched the points for City. Relive the Match Highlights HERE