Blues Match Preview: Oxford City v Chester FC

Chester FC are back in midweek action as they travel to Oxford City on Tuesday evening.

At the weekend, Calum McIntyre and his players picked up another three points on the road by beating Farsley Celtic.

Tom Peers’ 16th goal of the season was decisive in Derbyshire and ensured we retained our spot at the summit of the National League North.

It was also yet another clean sheet for Wolves loanee Jimmy Storer, who recorded his sixth shut out in just 11 appearances.

Our two newest recruits were involved in the squad on Saturday. AFC Fylde loanee Taelor O’Kane made his debut off the bench while Tom Leak was amongst the substitutes.

In the reverse fixture, a hat-trick from Tom Peers saw off the Hoops at the Deva Stadium back in November.

THE OPPOSITION

A resilient display from Oxford City on Saturday afternoon earned them a priceless point at home to Scunthorpe United.

Despite the positive result, Ross Jenkins’ outfit are still precariously lingering above the dreaded relegation spots. They are three points clear of Needham Market, who recently thrashed them 4-0.

Since the turn of the year, the Hoops have only triumphed once in ten league outings, although they do have an FA Trophy quarter-final tie against Woking to look forward to on the weekend.

The team hailing from Oxfordshire certainly pose an offensive threat. They have netted 41 goals in the National League North this campaign. To put that into perspective, that is the same amount as Curzon Ashton and one more than King’s Lynn Town who both sit in play-off places.

City were relegated from the National League last campaign in what was their first ever season in the fifth tier. They finished at the bottom of the table and were 20 points adrift of safety.

Prior to their brief stint in the highest level of Non-League football, they consistently competed in the National League South.

THE GAFFER

Ross Jenkins made a swift return to Oxford City in September 2024. The Englishman parted ways with Boreham Wood after just eight games in charge.

The 34-year-old’s departure coincided with the Hoops’ disappointing start to the season under Sam Cox.

His second spell commenced with just one defeat in seven games which helped ignite Oxford’s season.

Jenkins was a midfielder in his playing days and most notably represented boyhood club Watford, scoring twice in 81 appearances for the Hornets.

He then had brief spells in Eastern Europe with Romanian club Poli Timisoara (now dissolved) and Bulgarian outfit Pirin Blagoevgrad before retiring in Scotland with Hamilton Academical.

His career was plagued by injuries which forced him to prematurely retire at the age of 28. However, this didn’t interfere with the Englishman’s passion for the sport as he went straight into coaching.

After former manager David Oldfield left to join Weymouth in 2022, he seized the opportunity. Jenkins was initially placed in caretaker charge before being permanently given the role two months later and winning promotion the following campaign.

ONE TO WATCH

Captain Reece Fleet has become synonymous with Oxford City after spending over a decade with the Hoops.

The 33-year-old is the fifth all-time record appearance maker for the club as he has featured over 400 times.

Fleet came through the ranks at Birmingham City before initially joining Oxford in July 2011.

The industrious midfielder then spent a few years at Solihull Moors before returning to Marsh Lane in 2015 where he has remained ever since.

The skipper was an integral part of their National League South promotion winning campaign including scoring the opening goal in the play-off final against St. Albans.

LEAGUE FORM GUIDE

Oxford City | W8 D10 L15 | F41 A57 | Pos: 19th

Last Three

Needham Market (A) | L 4-0 | Scorers: N/A

King’s Lynn Town (A) | L 2-1 | Scorers: Jayden Carbon

Scunthorpe United (H) | D 0-0 | Scorers: N/A

Chester FC | W19 D8 L7 | F54 A32 | Pos: 1st

Last Three

Kidderminster Harriers (H) | D 1-1 | Scorers: Harrison Burke

Rushall Olympic (H) | W 4-0 | Scorers: Tom Peers x2, Harrison Burke, Kurt Willoughby

Farsley Celtic (A) | W 1-0 | Scorers: Tom Peers

Match Preview by Jude Deedigan.

MATCH DETAILS

Kick off is 7.45pm at the MGroup Stadium on Tuesday.

The address for the ground is Marsh Lane, Marston, Oxford, OX3 0NQ.

Segregation is in place for this fixture. 

Away fans have been allocated The North East Stand (seated), The Shed End Stand (Covered Terracing), and Open Standing Section D. Away tickets are only available to purchase via these sections of the stadium map when on TicketCo.

Tickets are now available to purchase online, and Oxford City strongly encourage supporters to purchase in advance.