FOOTBALL: City boss Ford's keeper puzzler (From Oxford Mail)

FOOTBALL: City boss Ford's keeper puzzler

10:00am Friday 2nd November 2012 in Sport By Nick Farrant, Sports reporter specialising in Non League Football. Call me on 01865 425488

Oxford City boss Mike Ford has been handed a tricky dilemma – who to select in goal for tomorrow’s visit of Colwyn Bay to Court Place Farm.

Last Saturday, with first-choice keeper Warren Carter struggling with a thigh injury, Ford brought in Matt Ingram on a three-month loan deal from Wycombe.

And the 20-year stopper made his debut at home to Stalybridge Celtic, pulling off a brilliant last-gasp save to ensure a goalless draw.

And on Tuesday, he couldn’t be beaten in their 0-0 draw at Bishop’s Stortford.

However, with Carter now recovered, Ford says he faces a difficult choice.

“Warren is fit again so I have to make a decision for Saturday,” said the manager.

“But having come in and kept clean sheets, it’s going to be difficult to leave Matty out.

“To be fair, Matty has not had much to do in those games, apart from making a good save against Stalybridge, because the defence have been playing so well in front of him.

“His kicking is good and he is a very calm and composed character.

“But Warren has not put a foot wrong when he’s played, so I have a tough choice to make.”

Meanwhile, Ford was delig-hted with their display at Bishop’s Stortford.

He added: “Clean sheets were the foundation of our success last season.

“And on Tuesday night we looked a very well-organised side and apart from a goal that was our best performance with the ball this season.

“I thought it was quite an even game on Saturday and a point was probably about right, but on Tuesday I thought we deserved the three points.

“Our performance was full of zest and endeavour. We looked a good footballing side.

“It was very pleasing and we must carry it on against Colwyn Bay, which I can’t imagine wil be as open as it was than Tuesday.

“They are scrapping for their lives down there, but it’s all about us stretching the points gap between the two sides.” Ford also has to decide whether to give winger Nick Stanley another start after he excelled on his return from injury at Bishop’s Stortford.

“In your first game back, often adrenalin gets you through and you can be a bit flat in the next one,” said Ford.

“He was outstanding. He worked really well with Craig Stonehouse. It gave us a bit more balance with two left-footers in the side.

“It was great to have Nick back and it was no coincidence that we played so well.” City will be at full strength with the exception of Felipe Barcelos, who is away.

Tomorrow's squads Oxford City (v Colwyn Bay, home): from Ingram, Carter, Mills, Learoyd, Wilmott, Stonehouse, Benjamin, Pond, Malone, Stanley, Basham, Sharif, Cook, Skendi, Ballard, Gunn, Walcott.

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