Match Preview: Fleetwood Town v Oxford United

5 September 2019

Fleetwood Town welcome Oxford United to Highbury Stadium on Saturday 7th September, and we have all you need to know in our match preview ahead of the Sky Bet League One clash.

Fixture: Fleetwood Town v Oxford United

Competition: Sky Bet League One

Date: Saturday 7^th September 2019

Kick-Off: 15:00 BST

Venue: Highbury Stadium, Park Avenue, Fleetwood, FY7 6SP

Match officials: Trevor Kettle (Referee), Alan Clayton & Matthew Bristow (Assistants), Joe Simpson (Fourth Official)

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FLEETWOOD TOWN

Fleetwood head into this fixture on the back of narrow defeat to Lancashire rivals Accrington Stanley on Tuesday night in the Leasing.com Trophy, with Paddy Madden bagging his fifth goal of the campaign from the penalty spot. Wes Burns picked up an injury early in the match, and is in contention for a place in the team come Saturday.

With Joey Barton's men unbeaten at home, Highbury is becoming a fortress for the Cod Army and after picking up four points from their opponents last time out, the players will be confident of putting on another positive display for the home faithful.

Deadline Day signing Jimmy Dunne has trained with the squad, and could also be in with a shout to start the match with on loan defender Harry Souttar away on international duty. Midfielder Kyle Dempsey impressed in the middle of the park on Tuesday night, and with Harrison Biggins out due to picking up a straight red in midweek, he could be giving the head coach a selection headache.

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OXFORD UNITED

Oxford United come to Highbury with only one league win under their belt, with that victory coming in the club's first home match of the season against Peterborough United. This week's one to watch Cameron Brannagan got the only goal of the game at the Kassam Stadium.

With away defeats at Blackpool and Bristol Rovers in recent weeks, manager Karl Robinson will be looking for his side to fight the odds and show why they will be at the right of the table come the end of the season.

Loanee Ben Woodburn is out due to being with the Welsh national squad, however with the likes of Jamie Mackie, Tarique Fosu-Henr and James Henry in the side, Robinson has a number of players to pick from to replace the Liverpool man.

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LAST TIME WE MET

The last time Fleetwood and Oxford United met was on the 12 January 2019, where the two sides shared the points at Highbury Stadium.

With Wes Burns and Paddy Madden giving Town the lead in the first half, two second half goals from James Henry and Jamie Mackie saw Karl Robinson's men take a point back down south.

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ONE TO WATCH: CAMERON BRANNAGAN

The one to watch for Oxford United is their playmaker, Cameron Brannagan – who has scored four goals already this season in eight matches.

The midfielder started off his career in 2001 at Liverpool in their academy, and went on to play for their Under 18s and Under 21s where he caught the eye of the Red’s manager then Brendan Rodgers. He was named a substitute in Liverpool’s FA Cup third round tie against Oldham Athletic.

In the Europa League in 2016, he made his debut against French side Bordeaux – where he replaced current Town man Jordan Rossiter in the 76^th minute.

In 2017, Fleetwood came calling for the 23-year-old and made his Town debut in a 1-1 draw against Charlton Athletic. He made 14 appearance for the Cod Army.

Now at Oxford, his 16-year association with the Reds ended but he hasn’t looked back since making the move. His first goal for the U’s was in their 2-1 win over AFC Wimbledon, and in the same year he picked up Players’ Player of the Year Award.

WHAT CLINT HILL HAD TO SAY

Fleetwood’s first team coach Clint Hill was on media duty ahead of the match against Oxford, and you can listen to the full interview live on iFollow.

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WATCH THE GAME ON IFOLLOW

Can’t make the game on Saturday? Well don’t worry as with iFollow Fleetwood, you won’t miss any of the action!

With video season passes available, alongside audio match passes, you can keep up to date with all that happens on a match day in the comfort of your own home.

For more details, head over to our iFollow subscription page.

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TICKET INFORMATION

Adults - £22

Seniors (60+) - £17

Under 16 - £7

If you haven’t already bought your tickets for the game, you can buy online and do it in the comfort of your own home. You can also visit us at Highbury in the Club Shop.

BETTING ODDS

For Fleetwood to beat Oxford United and pick up the three points, the current odds are at 23/20, with a draw being 9/4.

For the Cod Army to win 1-0, 2-0, or 2-1, you can now get the odds of 21/10.

If you fancy the correct first goal scorer and a win for Joey Barton’s side, you can have Paddy Madden to open the scoring on Saturday in a 2-1 win at 22/1.

For more odds on SkyBet, click HERE. Please remember to bet and gamble responsibly. These odds are accurate from the time of posting.

Match Reports

Report: Town remain unbeaten at home after victory over Oxford

7 September 2019

Fleetwood Town extended their unbeaten record at Highbury after an impressive display which saw them beat Karl Robinson's Oxford United 2-1 on Saturday afternoon.

A goal in each half from Paddy Madden and Peter Clarke gave Fleetwood Town a deserved victory over Oxford United, and extended their unbeaten record at home this season. Elliot Moore replied for The U's just before the break.

On loan Jimmy Dunne made his debut in defence in the absence of Harry Souttar, who was on international duty. Kyle Dempsey replaced Harrison Biggins in midfield, his first start in the EFL since last October.

Fleetwood started brightly. Josh Morris spotted a gap in the third minute, forcing a diving save from Simon Eastwood. Oxford defended well from a teasing Madden cross in the tenth minute, with Wes Burns leaving defenders behind with a scintillating run into the penalty box after twelve minutes.

Fleetwood pressure was rewarded on the quarter hour. Jordan Rossiter’s shot hit the post and Madden followed up to sweep the ball home for his fifth EFL goal of the season.

Oxford were energised after going behind, but it was Fleetwood who continued to threaten. Dempsey looked assured in midfield and nearly added a second from distance after 22 minutes, a firm right foot shot on target. Burns fired a curling left foot shot over the bar after 26 minutes.

With most of the action at the opposite end, it was a surprise when Oxford equalised after 33 minutes. A perfect cross from Rob Dickie on the right was met by a firm header in front of goal from Moore. Ten minutes later, Chris Cadden’s curling cross just eluded Jamie Mackie at the back post. As half time approached, a niggly element crept into the game.

There were spills at each end early in the second half. Firstly, a ricochet off an Oxford defender nearly let Burns in, then Matt Gilks dropped the ball under pressure, but Dunne was on hand to clear any danger.

In a frenetic few minutes, Dempsey twice came close for Fleetwood with shots at goal. Soon after, Lewie Coyle released Burns whose strike flew over the angle of post and upright. The Welshman then glanced a near post header wide from a corner as Fleetwood pressure built once again.

Gilks looked to have denied James Henry’s header with a terrific save in the 64th minute only for the offside flag to be raised.

Dempsey continued to catch the eye with strong runs from midfield. Coyle and Burns linked after 71 minutes, Burns’s low cross just eluding Madden at the back post.

Fleetwood increased their attacking options with a double substitution which brought on Ched Evans and Ashley Hunter in the 76th minute. Ironically, it was a defender who gave Joey Barton’s side the lead within three minutes. A cross from Coyle found the head of Clarke who put it past Eastwood‘s left for his first goal in Fleetwood colours.

Burns was the sponsor’s man of the match and received a fine ovation when replaced by Biggins after 89 minutes.

Fleetwood XI: Gilks (GK), Coyle, Clarke, Dunne, Andrew, Burns (Biggins, 89), Dempsey (Evans, 76), Morris (Hunter, 76), Coutts ©, Rossiter, Madden.

Subs not used: Cairns (GK), Eastham, Sheron, Saunders.

Oxford XI: Eastwood (GK), Cadden, Ruffels, Dickie, Moore, Rodriquez, Brannagan, Forde, Baptiste, Henry, Mackie.

Subs: Stevens (GK), Halls, Fosu, Long, Mousinho, Hanson, Aygei.

Match Reports

Standings