City vs Sporting Khalsa

[clive]

Three players called for Internationals this week-end, Kai McKenzie Lyle, Jalen Jones and Andre Burley

www.oxfordcityfc.co.uk/three-oxford-city-players-selected-internationally

Presumably the replacements will be Nick Harvey, Cardo Siddik and Cole Kpekawa

[ChrisB]

Am I right in thinking a club can (but doesn't have to) postpone a match if it has three or more players called up for international duty? I suppose that doesn't apply to FA Cup games as there wouldn't usually be a 'clash'. Important league match next Tuesday, though?

[clive]

Normally yes, but I'm not sure that applies for cup matches ? In any case, it looks like City have waived that option, probably don't fancy a fixture pile up.............

[marks]

Suspect Chi will be in a back 3 with Dawes and one of Siddik or Kpekawa (unless Roddy's moved into the middle). It's interesting that Jenkins didn't mention either of our bench-warming centre halves or Nick Harvey in his pre-fixture interview. he's either very confident in our back-up keeper (with a League game to come on Tuesday too) or there's another keeper incoming.

[Rijs]

A good result and performance today, particularly in the second half, but it might have been very different (given our track record against clubs lower down the pyramid) if their 'goal' had been allowed to stand (anyone know why it was disallowed?) or Josh Parker's had been ruled out for offside. We may have had a bit of luck there, but it makes up for some poor decisions against us on numerous occasions this season. Up to that point, Khalsa had dealt well with our bright attacking start, and had gradually come more into the game and won some corners. The volley was a peach and you had to feel a bit sorry for the scorer...

In the second period, we kept up the press and had a little more flow, enabling us to exploit the gaps when they tired. In fact, we should have scored several more - Corey came on and shot just wide from an angle and a few shots were well blocked or saved, but Zac's simple goal after the keeper made a hash of a tricky back pass under pressure put the result beyond doubt.

Jayden was deservedly voted Mom for a tireless performance up and down the pitch and a fine goal, and it was good to see young Phil Croker give such an assured display from the start, and get his name on the score sheet; as did Tom Scott near the end, when he had not long been on the pitch. Chi also got on in the closing minutes.

So we can enjoy this, but know of course that Alfreton on Tuesday will be a different game altogether and the defence will face a much sterner test.

[Rijs]

Should add that Sporting lived up to their name, and it was good to see opponents who by and large did not engage in wrestling our strikers, conning the ref, or endless complaints. Good luck to them in their promotion quest.

[clive]

I agree with Rijs. Whilst in the end it looks like a routine victory for a step 2 side over step 4, it could have been very different had the fantastic 25 yard volley been allowed to stand when the game was still goalless. As the linesman's flag was raised I presume a Sporting player must have been standing in front of Harvey in an offside position, but it is a shame to see such a fantastic strike ruled off like that.

A number of City players deserve to mentioned in despatches. I've no issue with Jayden being man of the match, but I though Potter gave his best performance for a while and Phil Croker was superb, and underlined why he was selected ahead of Siddik and Kpekawa, and even stranger why he was sent on loan to Thame just a few weeks ago.

The defence looks so much stronger with Drewe there. Zac, Reece and Josh Ashby gave their expected high level of performances, and Josh Parker seemed to enjoy not having his arm ripped off every time the ball went near him.

I also agree on the sporting nature of Sporting, the only dissent I heard was understandably at the linesman for disallowing the wonder strike, and there were a few sarcastic, but quite funny comments later in the game.

Here is the full report for anyone interested
fatbearssportingdiaries.blogspot.com/2024/11/oxford-city-5-0-sporting-khlasa-att-309.html

[sgodfrey81]

A good win, upset avoided. Match pics as normal: flic.kr/s/aHBqjBS15r