PREVIEW Lincoln City v Oxford United

A full guide to Saturday's SKY Bet League 1 game

3 March 2023

Oxford United head for Lincoln City on Saturday in SKY Bet League 1 (3pm)

TEAM NEWS
Craig Short takes charge for the first time after the departure of Karl Robinson. The former Everton and Derby defender has previously been caretaker boss in Hungary and at Notts County and told us:

"I have done the role in the past but I'm obviously very proud to be asked to do it for Oxford on Saturday. Whether you are on the bench or on the pitch on Saturday we all understand the importance of the game and know we need a win. I'm sure the fans will be right behind us and that should make for a really good game of football."

Sam Baldock, Josh Murphy, Tyler Smith and Billy Bodin miss out but Craig told us.

"Billy was close but it's a week too early but we still have the players in the squad to get a result on Saturday provided the attitude and work rate are right."

See a full Preview Show in iFollow, along with the full pre match interview with Craig.

THE OPPOSITION
Mark Kennedy's Imps are unbeaten at the LNER Stadium this season but have drawn all but three of those matches.

“To be heading into March and still unbeaten in the league at home is a phenomenal achievement" he said "so the players deserve a lot of credit for that.”

“I just can’t compliment the players enough for their efforts and attitudes, especially when you look at how stretched we are at the minute".

From the Dressing Room

Women Welcome Wasps

TICKETS
We have been allocated an initial 800 tickets in the Stacey West Stand with more available upon request, this includes four pairs of wheelchair and carer tickets.

Please note tickets for this fixture are digital only. As part of a digital ticketing trial with Lincoln supporters will be able to choose their seats online unlike any other away fixture.

Tickets are on sale online from oufctickets.co.uk and by calling 01865 337533 until 3pm on Friday 3rd March.

Adults	£24
Over 65	£19
Young Adult (18-21)	£19
Under 18	£10
Ambulant disabled	£19

Supporters with disabilities should have medium/high level of DLA. Proof may be required.

Pay on the day will be available to supporters from the visitors ticket window located at the club shop.

There are four car park bays for blue badge holders available on a first come first served basis and supporters must purchase these directly through Lincoln’s ticket office on 01522 458884 at a price of £5. Bookings must be made at least 48 hours in advance of kick-off.

Parking on the South Common Car Park is available to purchase in advance from the LCFC ticketing website for £5. Full matchday parking details at www.weareimps.com

London Road Travel
Coaches will depart the Kassam Stadium at 10:00am prompt with a pick-up at Kidlington Sainsbury’s at 10:15am

Prices:
Adult Member £25.00
Adult Non-Member £28.00
Under 18 Member £23.00
Under 18 Non-Member £26.00

Click HERE to book a place on the coaches or call 01865 337533

Coach and match tickets need to be purchased separately due to the ticket delivery methods.

No alcohol is permitted on the coaches and under 14s must be accompanied by an adult.

Please note that the Family Coach will not pick up in Kidlington

IFOLLOW
iFollow coverage is available to hear in the UK and watch if you are overseas, with full commentary from our friends at BBC Oxford Sport.

We'll have our usual full coverage on all official channels as well.

Match Reports

REPORT Lincoln City 1 Oxford United 0

Same demons as U's lose to the Imps. Full time report

4 March 2023

Oxford United's winless run was extended after a 1-0 defeat at Sincil Bank this afternoon.

Danny Mandroiu's first-half penalty was enough to condemn the U's to an eighth defeat in nine games as Craig Short's time as Caretaker Manager saw renewed effort but little change in fortune.

United snapped into early challenges and were markedly quick to close any Imps defenders down if they dared to dawdle on the ball. Marcus Browne was inches wide with an early drive and saw a second one flick wide of the other post via a defender’s back. And then, in what has become a familiar pattern, Lincoln scored.

It came as a ball bobbled around inside the area. Mandroiu went for it and as he twisted, Sam Long’s knee caught him and knocked him over. Ref Lewis Smith had no hesitation and Mandroiu thumped his sixth goal of the season straight down the middle as Simon Eastwood dived to his left.

United continued to press; Kyle Joseph and Sam Long both had shots hacked off the line, but they hadn't forced keeper Carl Rushworth into a meaningful save at half time despite plenty of effort. Having lost five of their last six games at Sincil Bank, and facing a team unbeaten at home all season, the U's had their work cut out, but nobody shirked their responsinilty as they tried to turn the game, and their season, around after the break.
040323 lincoln 1st (12).jpg

The game began to be played more and more in the Lincoln half, but the problem was exemplified five minutes after the break when Browne lashed in a shot that was heading for the corner flag until Long hooked it onto the roof of the Stacey West Stand: no dig at the players involved but an illustration of good players snatching at chances when they come along.

Gatlin O'Donkor, the one player in goalscoring form, was thrown on ten minutes into the second half but fluffed his lines soon after by hooking a shot over the bar after Stuart Findlay had flicked on a corner. The U's were dominating possession though, and threw on Yanic Wildschut and Marcus McGuane to try and retrieve the situation in the final stages.

Wildschut had a well-struck shot saved by Rushworth at the base of a post and then the home keeper produced the game's crucial moment. Sub Djavan Anderson's first touch was a deft cross which O'Donkor launched himself at. A foot either side and it was a goal, but somehow Rushworth saved the header at point-blank range and United's barren run continued.

Better. But not quite enough. A big week ahead. Get behind the U's as we welcome Derby County. Unite, Oxford. Unite.

Att: 8,092
Away: 594

Report by Chris Williams, pictures Steve Edmunds and Darrell Fisher

Ticket News

Lincoln City Away Tickets

Ticket and travel details for our game at Sincil Bank

27 February 2023

Ticket details for our Sky Bet League 1 game away at Lincoln City on Saturday are as follows

Lincoln City Away
Saturday 4th March 2023

We have been allocated an initial 800 tickets in the Stacey West Stand with more available upon request, this includes four pairs of wheelchair and carer tickets.

Please note tickets for this fixture are digital only. As part of a digital ticketing trial with Lincoln supporters will be able to choose their seats online unlike any other away fixture.

Tickets are on sale online from oufctickets.co.uk and by calling 01865 337533 until 3pm on Friday 3rd March.