The Fleet go in search of back-to-back victories as Tuesday night’s win at Maidenhead United provides the platform to achieve once more at fellow National South promoted club Oxford City.
Form guide
The Fleet are currently 20th in the Vanarama National League as Tuesday night’s victory saw Dennis Kutrieb’s side leapfrog Woking to make it out of the relegation zone for the first time since November. Alhough having played more games than those around them in the table, the Fleet now sit three points clear of the drop. Oxford City on the other hand moved to rock bottom of the table on 24 points after suffering three successive defeats. The Hoops will head into this match without a home win since 11th November when they saw off Woking by 3-2.
Fleet’s record at Marsh Lane is just one win in six visits and in meetings between the two clubs, the home side usually takes the win – but the reds are in confident mood with an improved defensive record lately, having conceded only once in three games.
Last time out
The reverse fixture at the Kuflink Stadium back in November was one to forget for the Fleet as Oxford hit four past the 10 men, racing into a 2-0 lead and then seeing Billy Clifford sent off. Loanees Cole Kpekawa, Oli Sanderson and Alex McQueen scored in that as well as City’s main man, Zac McEachran. It was Oxford’s first win at the Fleet.
New faces at Marsh Lane
Two of those three loanees – Kpekawa (Bromley) and Sanderson (Fulham) – have now departed Oxford but there are some new faces in to replace them. Levi Lumeka is a former Chelsea and Crystal Palace youngster who signed on a permanent transfer from French Ligue 2 side Troyes at the start of the year.
Alex Fisher joins from Yeovil on an initial one-month loan. The 33-year-old striker has played for the likes of Oxford United, Exeter City and Newport County in English football but has also played across Europe in Spain, Belgium and Italy.
Seydil Toure is on loan from Charlton, the defender joining at the start of the month. At 19 years old, he has joined Oxford City in search of regular first team football. Fellow Charlton defender Jacob Roddy is another in on loan having been at Weston-super-Mare previously.
The manager
While last season’s National North promoted clubs have parted with their managers, the South clubs have kept faith with theirs and former Watford player Ross Jenkins has been with City since 2022, guiding them to National League football for the first time in the club’s history.
Club connections
Fleet goalkeeper Chris Haigh returned to action for Oxford City recently after Jake Bycroft was recalled by Southampton but he’s not eligible this weekend so it may be reserve goalkeeper Marcin Brzozowski goes between the posts, unless Oxford make another loan move before Saturday. Brzozowski has played just the once this season.
Omari Sterling-James returned to the Fleet’s starting lineup in midweek and could come face to face with his Saint Kitts & Nevis teammate Andre Burley, while the two Josh’s – Fleet’s Wright and City top scorer Parker – were at Gillingham together.
Ticket info
Supporters can purchase their ticket in advance here for a small saving £1 compared to matchday prices.
Adults online – £17
Over 65 & blue light workers online – £12
Students & U17s online – £5
The ground opens two hours before kick-off.
