Preview: Oxford United v Fleetwood Town

10 August 2018

After last weekend’s defeat to AFC Wimbledon, Joey Barton’s side are hoping to get all three points on Saturday when they travel to Oxford United in Sky Bet League One

Fleetwood travel to the Kassam Stadium this weekend in search for their first win of the 2018/19 season, and Head Coach Joey Barton knows that it will be a battle when the two teams cross the white line at 3pm.

Jason Holt returns after his one match suspension and is in contention for a start against Karl Robinson’s side, with Barton knowing what the Scottish-born midfielder can bring to the team.

Joey Barton said…

“Jason’s energy, enthusiasm and communication is infectious and with those skills, you can’t help but miss a player of his standards.

“He sets off a chain in terms of his pressing, he demands the ball and always plays with a smile on his face, and the group enjoy having him around and he will be a key player for us throughout the season.

“On Saturday against Oxford United, we need to make sure that we take care of our business. If we do that, I’m more than confident that we have enough to cause a lot of teams, lots of problems.”

Karl Robinson spoke after last week’s defeat at Oakwell and said:

“Last week against Barnsley wasn’t the result we expected but it might be a good thing, because I am telling you now, it won’t be the same team that starts at home to Fleetwood.

“It was atrocious and I want to apologise to the fans who came and supported us, the dedication the fans showed us wasn’t replicated on the pitch.

“That is the be all and end all. We didn’t show the commitment on the day and I can assure that it will never be the case again.”

The Form Guide…

After seven wins from seven in pre-season, Feetwood lost their opening day match against AFC Wimbledon at Highbury Stadium. It was Joe Pigott’s 60^th minute strike that gave the Wombles all three points, in a game where Bobby Grant hit the post from 25 yards.

Oxford United opened their Sky Bet League One season with a 4-0 defeat away to Yorkshire side Barnsley. The reds – who were relegated from the Championship last season, dominated proceedings on the day with Mamadou Thiam scoring two, and Brad Potts and Victor Adeboyejo grabbing goals late in the game.

2018/19 Sky Bet League One Form:

Fleetwood Town: L

Oxford United: L

We’ve Met Before

Both meetings last season saw Town take all six points against Oxford, and it was Bobby Grant’s late strike from outside the box on his 100^thleague appearance for the Cod Army, alongside Jordy Hiwula’s tap in from close range that saw Rosler’s men claim the victory.

In a tense match at The Kassam Stadium on April 10^th 2018, a wonder strike from former Us man Conor McAleny ensured Town picked up the three points, and helped push the club away from the bottom of the league table. An important night for the club, and probably one the fans will look back on that secured safety for the following season.

One to Watch

Summer signing Ricky Holmes is the one to watch this weekend for Oxford United. The attacking midfielder has recently played at Portsmouth, Northampton Town and Charlton Athletic before making a move to Sheffield United in January 2018.

The 31-year-old joined up with Karl Robinson’s side on Transfer Deadline Day on a season-long loan, and will be looking to get up and running on his first match in Oxfordshire against Joey Barton’s Cod Army.

Betting Preview

Joey Barton’s side are 21/10 to beat Karl Robinson’s men on Saturday.

Robinson’s Oxford are 11/8 to take all three points, with a draw priced at 21/10.

For Fleetwood to win, with both teams to score in 90 minutes, the odds are priced at 13/2.

You can find more odds for the match on SkyBet. Please gamble responsibly.

#OnwardTogether

Match Previews

Match Reports

Report: Evans and Madden fire Town to victory

A goal in each half gives Cod Army first win of the season

11 August 2018

Fleetwood Town picked up their first points of the season on Saturday, thanks to a 2-0 victory away at Oxford United.

Ched Evans and a late Paddy Madden penalty sealed the victory, in a game which Joey Barton’s side looked comfortable throughout.

The Welshman opened his account for the season after Kyle Dempsey worked well on the right hand side to win the ball back from Curtis Nelson, and the midfielder had the composure to cross the ball across to Evans, who couldn’t miss from five yards.

And it was Madden who picked the ball up to take the penalty after Burns was taken down by Oxford keeper Scott Shearer. The forward sent the goalkeeper the wrong way sending the travelling away fans home happy.

You’d have to say it was an even first half as both teams looked nervous after both were defeated on the opening day, however it was Ashley Hunter who had to first effort on goal in the sixth minute, forcing goalkeeper Shearer pull off a smart save.

It was a nervy moment for Craig Morgan as he passed the ball across the box straight to Sam Smith, who ran towards the Town goal, but the striker failed to finish his chance, with Alex Cairns making a good save low down to his left hand side.

In a period where the game was played in the middle of the park, it was a mistake in Oxford third that allowed Dempsey to nick the ball off the defender, he ran toward the by-line and picked his head up to find Evans, who was free inside the 18-yard box, and couldn’t miss from that range.

Dempsey should have made it two when Hunter ran towards the goal of the home side, and with Evans to his right and Dempsey to his left, he played in Dempsey who when he went to strike the ball, his standing foot gave way, which ultimately saw his strike go wide.

The second-half saw the away side come out and continue their attacking play and putting Karl Robinson’s side under pressure, and went close through Evans again went Hunter delivered a peach of a ball to the striker, whose header went narrowly wide.

Oxford had a great chance to equalise through their summer signing, Jamie Mackie. The former Queens Park Rangers forward found himself at the far post unmarked after Ricky Holmes’ cross found him and, saw his header went back across the goal, and out for a goal kick. Huge let off for Barton’s side.

Dean Marney – who made his first start for Town after joining the club on a free transfer – had the defender on the floor midway through the second-half and had Jason Holt running into the box, however the pass was just behind the Scotsman.

Robinson made changes for the home side, looking to get some pace onto the field of play, but it was Holmes who looked dangerous throughout the game who had a great opportunity inside the box, but again he saw his effort sail away from the goal.

Town brought on Nathan Sheron – who is the first player ever player from the club’s academy to play in the league – and alongside Dempsey and Holt, the young midfielder ensured the three points came back to the Fylde Coast.

Madden, a late substitute in the game made it two nil to the away side after Wes Burns won the Cod Army a penalty, and there was no chance of the Irishman missing from the penalty spot.

The perfect away performance against Oxford, where Town have never lost.

Subs not used: Norman, Browne, Mousinho, Whyte, Henry, Obika.

Town XI: Cairns (GK), Coyle, Holt, Eastham, Dempsey, Evans (Madden 78’), Grant (Burns 72’), G. Jones, Morgan ©, Hunter, Marney (Sheron 74’).

Subs not used: P. Jones (GK), Spurr, McAleny, Sowerby.

Ticket News

Join the Cod Army at Oxford this Saturday

6 August 2018

The Cod Army will be looking to bounce back from Saturday's narrow defeat to AFC Wimbledon, when they travel to Oxford this Saturday.

Town have won all four matches they've played at the Kassam Stadium, including a memorable 1-0 win late last season, with Conor McAleny scoring a wonder goal in second half injury time.

Tickets for this weekend's game are available to purchase from the club shop at Highbury Stadium, and are priced as follows:

Adults - £24

Over 65s - £17

18-21 - £16

Under 18s - £14

Under 13s - £10

Under 7s - £6

Coaches will be departing Highbury Stadium at 8am on Saturday, with the price just £15 for all supporters.

To book, contact the ticket office on 01253 775080, or visit the club shop at Highbury Stadium.

Fleetwood Town

Standings

Preview: Oxford United v Fleetwood Town

Report: Evans and Madden fire Town to victory

Join the Cod Army at Oxford this Saturday

Oxford United away - Tickets and travel now on sale