Oxford face their toughest
test so far this weekend as they travel to unbeaten Burton Albion
looking to maintain their own unbeaten record in a clash between
second and third in the early League Two table. The Brewers have
specialised in scoring late goals in recent weeks, narrowly beating
struggling Accrington 1-0 last weekend thanks to a 98th-minute winner
from Adam Reed and scoring twice in the final ten minutes to salvage
a 2-2 draw against Bury the previous week. Hardly the most impressive
of ways to stay unbeaten, but no doubt demonstrating an admirable
stubbornness and knack of grinding out results, which is probably the
most important quality in a promotion-chasing side at this level.
As for ourselves, we've
not exactly been convincing in recent home draws against Wycombe
and Rochdale,
but have similarly avoided defeat in games where we have perhaps not
impressed as we might have liked. Those matches, of course were both
at home, where we have struggled
for quite some time. On the road we've looked unstoppable,
currently boasting a 100% record from our two games so far and
scoring seven times in the process. Burton are currently unbeaten at
the Pirelli Stadium so far this season, so one of those records has
to end this weekend.
Unlike ourselves, Burton
were in action during the week in the first round of the JPT, losing
1-0 away to Notts County. Manager Gary Rowett rested
several key players for the trip to Meadow Lane, with the likes
of Lee Bell, Rory Delap, Chris Hussey, Adam McGurk and Rene Howe all
likely to return for this fixture.
Meanwhile, the news coming
out of the Oxford camp ahead of this match is that Deane Smalley –
who has missed the last two matches due to a hamstring – is fit for
this game. Although of course they also said the same ahead of the
last two games, so who knows! Andy Whing and Alfie Potter have also
been ruled fit despite having their own fitness problems, but the
real news is that Alfie has finally
shaved his beard!
Many Oxford fans are still
haunted by our last trip to Burton, a match I'm sure most of us would
rather forget. On the miserable day almost exactly a year ago, we
watched our side get destroyed
by four goals to nil in the middle of a six-match losing streak.
In fact we've never won a Football League game at the Pirelli, though
in our Conference days we were unbeaten at Burton. A return to that
sort of form this weekend, please.
Travelling supporters can
play their own part in making sure that happens. After the success of
'Flag Day' against Wycombe a couple of weeks ago, the Yellow Army has
designated this 'Flag Away Day'. Just like then, make sure you bring
any flags, banners or scarves you have to match and bring as much
colour to the away end as possible. Every little helps!
From the Vaults
Burton Albion v Oxford United, 17th April 2009
United arrived at table-topping Burton on a late play-off charge, while Burton needed just a point to secure promotion to the Football League for the first time in their history. Oxford, meanwhile, needed a win to keep the play-off dream alive...
Also This Weekend
Having received a bye in
the first round of the JPT, our first tie of the competition is set
to be announced this weekend. The draw is being made at 10:15am on
Saturday morning live on Soccer AM and will see us pitted against one
of the following: Crawley Town, Newport County, Swindon Town,
Coventry City, Peterborough United, Southend United, Stevenage,
Brentford, Plymouth Argyle, Dagenham & Redbridge, Wycombe
Wanderers, Leyton Orient, MK Dons, Portsmouth, Bristol City.
The youth team take a
break this weekend from their South West Combination campaign after
their 2-1 defeat to Plymouth last weekend. They travel up to
Birmingham for a friendly against Birmingham City FA on Sunday and
the match is open to the public, should you find yourself up that way
for some reason. Kick-off at Ray Hall Lane (B43 6JF) is at 1pm.
And if you can't make it
to Burton, don't forget that Saturday is Non-League
Day! Oxford City, still looking for their first win in the
Conference North this season, host 14th-placed Colwyn Bay at Court
Place Farm. Didcot Town, who picked up their first win of the season
last weekend in the FA Cup against Wantage Town (something of a
grudge match, as Didcot manager Andy Wallbridge was sacked by Wantage
at the end of last season, despite finishing second in the league!),
are at home to Yate Town in the Southern League Division One South
and West. In the Hellenic League, both Abingdon sides are at home as
Town host Ascot United (goals guaranteed!) and United welcome
Bracknell Town. There are also home ties for local sides Thame
United (an Oxfordshire derby v Carterton) and Kidlington (v Newbury Town)
in the first qualifying round of the FA Vase.
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