Preview: Fleetwood Town v Oxford United

15 September 2023

Fleetwood Town are set to face Oxford United this Saturday in Sky Bet League One, and we have all you need to know ahead of the 3pm kick-off in our match preview.

Fixture: Fleetwood Town v Oxford United

Competition: Sky Bet League One

Date: Saturday 16 September 2023

Kick-off: 3pm

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

FLEETWOOD TOWN

After picking up a win in the EFL Trophy last time out, Saturday will give the Cod Army the opportunity to pick up their first win of the season in the league. Town will have a new manager in the dugouts on Saturday, with Lee Johnson leading his side out against Liam Manning's Oxford United.

If you haven’t already purchased your tickets for today’s match, click HERE to buy now!

Fleetwood Town have had a rocky start to the season and will be looking now to turn things around on the field of play. With that victory over Tranmere Rovers - which saw Jayden Stockley and Phoenix Patterson score their firsts of the season, it's now a stepping stone for the players with 40 games left of the campaign.

Carl Johnston, Stephen McMullan, Bosun Lawal have all return from international duty, and are all in contention to start on Saturday. Brendan Wiredu still remains on the sideline but it's nearly a fully-fit squad for the new gaffer to pick from come 2pm.

With a week on the training ground, the players have had time to get used to the new tactics and new philosophies instructed on the pitches at Poolfoot Farm, and with hype around the place, let's get Highbury buzzing once again come 3pm on Saturday.

OXFORD UNITED

The Sky Bet League One side have had a great start to the new season with four wins from their opening six matches. They have lost two, with the last defeat coming to Port Vale on home soil, with the Valiants coming out 2-1 winners thanks to Alfie Devine's 90th minute penalty. The hosts had two players sent off, with Mark Harris and Greg Leigh seeing red cards.

Looking at the U's four victories, they all came after an opening day defeat to Cambridge United. The first win came against Carlisle United, the second one against Barnsley with the last two being against Derby County and Charlton Athletic.

Liam Manning - Oxford's head coach - began his coaching career at West Ham in their Academy and has since gone on to manager Lommel SK, MK Dons and now Oxford. Manning favours a high possession, high press style of football and that has suited the Yellows this season. He joined his current side in March 2023 and was named Sky Bet League One manager of the month for August after seeing his side top of the table.

WHAT MANAGEMENT HAVE SAID ON THE GAME

Supporters can watch Assistant Manager Darren Way's full interview on iFollow, with Darren talking about his first week on the training ground and the mood ahead of the important clash at Highbury. Whilst on iFollow, why not check out our latest video with goalkeeper Stephen McMullan - who was on international duty last week with Northern Ireland's Under-21s.

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IFOLLOW PASSES AVAILABLE FOR THE GAME

On the day of the game, there will be two matchday packages available for both overseas and, one for UK-based supporters - buy your iFollow pass HERE!

Video Match Pass - £10 (Overseas only)

Audio Match Pass - £2.50 (U.K and Overseas)

Those who choose the Audio Match Pass option will get access to just the commentary, which will be provided by our partners, BBC Radio Lancashire. Season passes are available with audio passes for only £45 for the season, for all UK-based members of the Cod Army!

If you want to buy a package for the rest of the season, you can find more details by heading over to our iFollow page.

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JIM'S BAR INFORMATION YOU NEED TO KNOW!

For those early birds, who want to make the most out of their day at Highbury, special deals are there for you as, between 12-1pm, all draughts will be £2.50 per pint apart from Madri, which will be just £1 more.

Alongside this, supporters with Onward Cards can get four-pint pitchers for a cut-price throughout the day, with four-and-five-bottle offers also available during the day (specific times listed on the graphic below.

10% off draught beer is also listed as another benefit between 1-2:45pm, at half-time, and the post-match happy hour (5-6pm) so make sure you are in there during these times!

Entertainment will be on offer by the club’s Supporter Liaison Officer Wayne Bibby between 2-2:45pm and you can get involved in the action as he will be providing fan engagement and team announcements during this time.

Please note, due to the club wanting the stands to stay full to cheer on Town as they face the Yellows on Saturday, the bar will close at kick-off and will not open again until 3:30pm so let’s get the Cods cheered on as they bid for three points!

Here are all the offers available in Jim’s Bar this weekend:

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Match Previews

Match Reports

Report: Town defeated by Oxford at Highbury

16 September 2023

Fleetwood Town suffered a 3-0 defeat to Oxford United in their first game back after the international break at Highbury Stadium.

Town had several first-half chances, including Jayden Stockley hitting the bar, but goals from Oxford’s Stanley Mills, Billy Bodin, and Kyle Edwards saw the away side claim all three points.

The Cods started strongly, with the first real chance of the game coming after eight minutes, as Scott Robertson saw his powerful long-range effort deflect wide of the post.

Lee Johnson’s side continued to build positively from wide areas, but after 16 minutes the away side took the lead when after cutting inside, Mills unleashed a beautiful curling effort into the top corner from 25 yards out.

Despite a good response from Fleetwood, Oxford found a second 12 minutes later. Bodin arrived on the edge of the area to fire an excellent half-volley through a crowd of players and into the bottom corner after Town were able to clear the initial delivery.

An instant reply was almost found soon after as midfielder Robertson fired another deflected effort towards goal - this one rising narrowly over.

Just minutes later, Fleetwood hit the bar when Stockley headed Ryan Broom’s clipped cross onto the woodwork - but the away side were able to preserve their two-goal advantage.

A triple change at the break, when Town introduced Kabongo Tshimanga, Xaiver Simons, and Ryan Graydon, with those changes sparking an instant impact in the game.

Tshimanga broke free down the left-hand side before pulling a ball across the face of the goal, but Jack Marriott couldn’t apply the finishing touch and diverted his effort wide.

On the hour mark the away side put the game to bed, when Edwards, who had been threatening all afternoon, cut inside from the left and curled a right-footed effort into the top corner - like Oxford’s first but from a closer distance.

Town continued to push for a response, with substitutes Junior Quitirna and Bosun Lawal brought into the fray. Tshimanga crashed an effort against the bar, but the Cod Army were unable to reduce the deficit as the U’s took all three points back to Oxfordshire.

Town XI: Lynch (GK), Johnston, Robertson (Simons 46’), Vela (C) (Quitirna 78’), Stockley (Tshimanga 46’), Mayor, Broom, Marriott, Holgate, Nsiala (Lawal 78’), Armstrong (Graydon 46’).

Subs not used: McMullan, Patterson.

Oxford United: Beadle (GK), Long, Brown, Thorniley, Moore (C), Mills (Stevens 74’), Brannagan, Bodin (Smyth 74’), McGuane, Rodrigues (Perkins 90’), Edwards (Goodrham 64’).

Subs not used: Eastwood (GK), Murphy, Negru.

Match Reports

Ticket News

Buy your tickets here for Saturday's match against Oxford United

15 September 2023

Fleetwood Town supporters can buy their match tickets online and in-store for Saturday's Sky Bet League One game against Oxford United, with kick-off at 3pm!

Ticket prices start from £22 for an Adult to stand before the goal, with Seniors / Under-25s costing £17 and those Under-16s starting from £7 - there will be an additional cost for those who want a seat on matchday - click HERE to buy online!

Don’t worry if you can't buy online, as you can also pop into the club shop at Highbury from 9am Monday to Friday to get them in person if you prefer.

If supporters wish to call the Ticket Office for further details, please call 01253 775080 (Option 1) to speak to a member of the team. You can also head down to Highbury to get your tickets in-store.