PREVIEW Walsall v Oxford United

A full guide to Saturday's FA Cup Tie

29 November 2019

Oxford United head for Walsall on Saturday afternoon in the second round of the Emirates FA Cup.

TEAM NEWS
United have no new injuries and look set to welcome midfielder Jamie Hanson back into the squad after a hamstring strain. The former Derby man has trained all week and could be on the bench, with the plan for longer game time in the Leasing.com Trophy game at Exeter City next week.

Josh Ruffels stands by for his 200th start for the U's, while Anthony Forde returns to the club he made over 70 appearances for earlier in his career.

See Josh and Karl Robinson previewing the game in iFollow right now.

THE OPPOSITION
Walsall came through a difficult game in the last round, beating Darlington in a replay, and are in good form with three wins in a row, two in the cup and one in the league. A 0-0 draw against Stevenage means Walsall have gone five unbeaten.

There are a couple of familiar faces in the Saddlers side in former United defenders Cameron Norman and James Clarke, with Clarke captaining the side and no doubt looking forward to facing former team mate Matty Taylor; the pair were also at Bristol Rovers together.

The Gaffer

The Quiz

Under 18s On The Road

Women take on Plymouth on Sunday

Match preview for Oxford United vs Plymouth Argyle on 01 Dec 19

TICKETS
Well over 1,000 fans have already booked their place in the away stand. The game is not all ticket but you can save time on the day as well as guaranteeing a place by booking before 3pm on Friday. Call 01865 337533 and collect at Walsall on the day.

Prices

Adults	£12
Over 60s	£6
Under 18s	£6
Family Ticket	£15 (one adult and one under 18)

Disabled supporters as above with PA if required free (not available on-line)

London Road Coaches

VERY limited places still remain:

Depart Stadium 11:15am

Kidlington 11:30am

Prices :

Adult Member £16:00

Adult Non Member £18:00

Under 18 Member £14:00

Under 18 Non Member £16:00

Call 01865 337533 to book.

Under 14s must be accompanied on the coaches and no alcohol is permitted

Travel Alert

Industrial action is due to take place on the train services around Walsall at the weekend. Please check with the relevant train companies when planning your journey.

THE PLAYLIST
Want to get in the mood for the game? Then search for Oxford United Official on Spotify where we bring you a new playlist for every away journey, plus the dressing room playlist. The Playlist is available on Saturday morning and is always flexible: let us know on Twitter if you have any more to add to help get the Yellow Army in the mood as we head for Walsall.

Match Previews

Match Reports

REPORT Walsall 0 Oxford United 1

Late Henry goals sends United through. Full-time report

30 November 2019

Oxford United left it late but a James Henry goal made it 16 unbeaten and sent them through to the third round of the FA Cup with a 1-0 win at Walsall this afternoon. Henry's strike decided a typical cup tie and finally ended the stubborn resistance of a Walsall side who pushed in-form United all the way.

They may have been unchanged from the side that started at Southend last week but United are unrecognisable from the side that came to this ground in April, essentially needing to win to stay in League 1. Eight months on and they are a side with a clear style and belief, with everyone comfortable on the ball and willing to work their socks off for each other.

Walsall changed Manager at that game in February and are now facing a different fight at the wrong end of League 2 but they started well and the opening half was end-to-end, with the U’s unable to break down the home defence and restricted to neat touches on the approach play and then long-range efforts at goal. Fosu and Henry both tried their luck and full backs Ruffels and Cadden were a constant source of danger down the flanks.

A backheel from Josh Gordon was the home side’s best effort of the first half, while United’s came when the irrepressible Fosu poked across keeper Liam Roberts to force a good save down to his left. Taylor did get the ball in the net right on half time but was denied by an offside call before the second half took a decidely one-way slant.

The home side did see Gordon head an early chance wide but it turned out to be their best chance of the day as United started to drive forward and Cadden, running riot on the right, blasted one shot wide and another into a dazed defender's nose as United threw the kitchen sink at the Saddlers.

Henry was playmaker, Ruffels almost marked his 200th start with a goal one minute into the second half, keeper and man-of-the-match Roberts clawing it off the line, but with former U's defender James Clarke skippering a stubborn resistance, United just couldn't find a way through until with time running out Taylor held the ball and flicked infield for the unstoppable Cadden to cross low and Henry to slot home and send the U's through.

Sixteen unbeaten, another clean sheet and into December still fighting on all fronts. Unforgettable stuff indeed. The draw is on Monday evening. Can't wait for the next instalment of this amazing adventure.

Att: 3224

Away:1375

Report by Chris Williams, pictures by Steve Daniels and Darrell Fisher

Match Reports

Ticket News

Walsall Tickets

Yellow Army back the U's on Saturday

27 November 2019

Just over 1,000 fans have now booked their place in the away end at Walsall on Saturday.

Around 500 tickets remain and it is not all ticket but you can save time on the day as well as guaranteeing a place by booking in advance

Details are:

Walsall v Oxford United

FA Cup – 2nd round

Saturday 30th November, kick-off 3pm