Oxford City 1-3 Slough ( att : 530 )

April 20, 2019

Oxford City are the second football team in Oxford, and currently play in Conference South, the sixth tier of English football. The stadium is located in Marston, just off the Oxford Ring Road and has the main grandstand along one side of the pitch, covered terraces behind one goal and the other length side of the pitch, with a second covered seated area by the corner. Behind the other goal is a standing area in front of the tea bar and the clubhouse.

There are two free car parks on the site, and entrance this season is £12 for adults, £6 for concessions ( OAPs, Disabled and Students ), and free for under 16s. Programmes are £2.50.

The pitch is an artificial 4G one, which lends itself to neat, tidy football, which suites Oxford City's passing style. 

Only my third visit to Conference South side Oxford City this season and the first since their money troubles led to the departure of two of their best players – Matt Paterson, last season’s top scorer went to Welling and Rob Sinclair, the creative mid-field force went to Hemel Hempsted. Udoka Godwin Malife, a talented 18 year defender has also since gone to Forest Green and played a few first team games already for them.

In the absence of the proven goal-scorer, Kabongo Tshimanga, an ineffective winger was forced to play as centre forward and scored 34 goals, including a hat-trick in the 3-3 draw at Tranmere in the FA Cup. He is not expected to be at Oxford City next season !

A run of 4 wins out of 5 has seen City move away from the relegation zone to mid-table. Slough were also on an unbeaten run of 7 games which has put them with a vague chance of making the play-offs.

With both sides playing on artificial surfaces the match was dubbed the 3G derby, and both sides try to play the ball on the deck.

Slough took an early lead, with O’Donoghue, City's very young full-back diving in to make an interception but failing, leaving Harris, Slough's No 11 with a clear run on goal. His  shot was from outside the area but the ball was buried into the corner of the net.

Both sides played pretty football in the rest of the even first half, before a Slough defender unnecessarily bundled over a City player about to shoot from just inside the area. The most obvious penalty you will see this season, and Tshimanga easily moved to 35 goals for the season. HT 1:1

The second half was also very even. Slough had plenty of periods of pressure, and a few goalmouth scrambles but nothing clear cut. Oxford City however, had two good chances, one ending inches wide, and a free-flowing moved ended with a shot from close to the penalty spot forcing a great finger tip save over the bar. A wag behind the goal shortly after shouted "should have held that, keeper !"

With a draw looking increasingly likely, with 6 minutes remaining Wells, Slough's left back thumped a 30 year shot in to the far top corner for a 2-1 lead. A few minutes later an Oxford City move from the back was intercepted, but the ball ran towards to the far side of the City box. Unfortunately, the keeper was on the other side of the area, and didn't realise the danger. As he failed to quickly react, Amartey, Slough's centre forward spotted the opportunity, ran forward, beat the keeper to the ball, rounded him and then at the second attempt scored the decisive goal.

Slough brought a good natured 200+ supporters to the game, with the main chant being a version of Slade's "Cum on feel the Noise".

With the game being played in very hot conditions, the ref called a water break after 30 minutes.

 
Beers in the bar keep changing, now Fosters, San Miguel, an IPA ( can't remember the name ) and a real ale ( something like Hobgoblin but a slightly different name ! )

Highlights : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6E9TwKxXViU