PREVIEW Cheltenham Town v Oxford United

A full guide to Saturday's Sky Bet League game at the Jonny Rocks Stadium

17 September 2021

Oxford United travel to Cheltenham Town on Saturday in Sky Bet League 1

TEAM NEWS
United are still without Marcus McGuane with a hip problem although he has returned to the training pitches this week and should be back soon. Both Sam Winnall and Elliott Moore are rated doubtful after missing last weekend's draw at home to Wycombe but Sam Long made his return as a sub in that game and is again in the squad for Saturday.

See Karl Robinson previewing the game in iFollow right now where you can hear from Jack Stevens in the Preview Show.

THE OPPOSITION
Cheltenham boss Michael Duff has seen his side start strongly after promotion and admits that a win at Charlton last weekend has left him with selection problems for Saturday’s starting XI:

"The players have given us decisions to make," he said. "Whatever the team is or the shape is it will be thought out. We will pick a team that we think is right for Oxford. Players have put their hands up and said pick me, so that's all you can ask for.

"We are not going to get carried away because we had a good 45 minutes at Charlton. They (Oxford) are a good team. They're in the top four or five for everything in the league. It is going to be a difficult game. We can pass the ball and get results against bigger teams - that's what we get from last week - but we don't kid ourselves that we've made it."

The Robins have some familiar faces in the squad including striker Kyle Vassell, midfielder Liam Sercombe and defender Charlie Raglan.

The Gaffer

TICKETS
All tickets for the side of the ground are SOLD OUT and there are now a very small number remaining behind the goal.

This match is ALL TICKET with no tickets available on the day.

Fans are advised to book as soon as possible to avoid missing out. Tickets are available online HERE and by telephone, 01865 337533, and in person at the Kassam Stadium Ticket Office. They can be collected on Saturday outside the Hazlewoods Stand for away fans.

We have a total allocation of 1,468 tickets for this game

Prices
Adults: £26
65+: £18
Student: £18*
Under 18: £10

*Please note that all students must have valid ID.

Concessions
There are 4 Wheelchair spaces available and must be booked by telephone on 01865 337533.

Ambulant disabled (receiving middle or higher rate disability allowance) pay the standard rate for their age bracket, with 1 complimentary PA ticket if required. Wheelchair users receive a complimentary PA with 1 ticket covering both supporters.

London Road Coaches

With resident only parking restrictions introduced around the Jonny Rocks Stadium since our last visit the London Road coaches are proving very popular for the short trip down the A40 and an extra bus has been arranged.

Depart: Stadium 12:00 prompt
Adult LRC member: £14
Adult non-member: £17
Under 18 LRC member: £12
Under 18 non-member: £15

Visit oufctickets.co.uk or call 01865 337533 to book

To join the London Road Travel Club or to enquire about or book transport to away games call in at the ticket office or call 01865 337533

HEAR IT LIVE
You can hear the whole game live in iFollow in the UK thanks to our friends at BBC Oxford Sport, with highlights to follow. Overseas fans can see the whole game live.

We have coverage on Twitter, Instagram and a report and Gallery right here on the final whistle.

OTHER GAMES
United's scheduled under-18s game at Bristol Rovers has been postponed for Covid-related reasons and the youth team will now play a friendly against Biggleswade instead, while Oxford United Women have no fixture this weekend. The Women are next in action on Sunday 26th September at home to Bridgwater Town.

Match Previews

Match Reports

REPORT Cheltenham Town 1 Oxford United 0

May goal sinks the U's. Full time report

18 September 2021

A second half goal from Alfie May was enough to give Cheltenham Town a 1-0 win over the U's at the Jonny Rocks Stadium this afternoon.

May's goal proved decisive in a close game in which United had chances in the first half in particular to be able to take something back along the A40. Instead they returned empty handed and still looking for that elusive first away win.

There was a bright opening for the superb 1,400 travelling fans to enjoy, James Henry firing two early efforts into the grateful gloves of home keeper Scott Flinders as they began a personal duel that was to go on all afternoon, and Mark Sykes cleverly backheeling a Gavin Whyte cross straight at the keeper as the U’s pressed.

At the other end, three right-wing crosses caused huge problems. Luke McNally cracked an early clearance against the post rather than into the inviting stand, Jordan Thorniley sliced a second one too close for Jack Stevens’ comfort and Steve Seddon’s touch to a third after half an hour saw the ball loop inches over the bar as Stevens packpedalled, fearing the worst.

180921 cheltenham (21).jpg

Taylor Perry had an early shooting opportunity but otherwise United looked comfortable in defence, with the return of Sam Long working well and meaning both teams had an S. Long as number two.

Further forward, Herbie Kane enjoyed a very composed league debut in the absence of Cameron Brannagan, while the best chances of the first half came, as so often, from Henry, first with a typically well-struck effort from 25 yards that drew a flying save from Flinders after 23 minutes and then with a similar one on 38 that drew a similar stop from the busy Robins keeper.

Kane has all manner of flicks and feints available that are going to unlock plenty of defences this season and one early in the second half set up Whyte for a shot that came to nothing, the same player having an effort chalked off for offside soon after.

180921 cheltenham (3).jpg

However, the early tempo had slowly faded into the rolling Cotswold hills beyond and after 68 minutes the newly promoted Robins won the game with a very simple goal. Flinders kicked long, the ball was flicked beyond the retreating United defence, Kyle Joseph chased to the line and crossed and May, all alone, stroked home to give his side the win.

United tried to find a response, with Dan Agyei, Nathan Holland and Billy Bodin all joining the chase for an equaliser, but this Cheltenham side are very well drilled, very resolute and held the U's at arms length, seldom allowing a sight of Flinders' goal.

A frustrating afternoon in which a promising first half wasn't followed up after the break. United now have two home games in a row to put that right.

Att: 5,004
Away: 1,452

Report by Chris Williams, pictures Steve Edmunds, Steve Daniels, Darrell Fisher, stats by OPTA

Ticket News

Last Chance For Cheltenham

Get your ticket before it's too late for our ALL TICKET game on Saturday

16 September 2021

Only a handful of tickets remains for our Sky Bet League 1 game at Cheltenham Town on Saturday.