FOOTBALL: Cook has vital ingredient, says Ford (From Oxford Mail)

FOOTBALL: Cook has vital ingredient, says Ford

10:00am Friday 22nd February 2013 in Non League By Nick Farrant, Sports reporter specialising in Non League Football. Call me on 01865 425488

Oxford City manager Mike Ford is backing Jamie Cook to keep up the good work away to Histon in Blue Square Bet North tomorrow.

Ford says the former Oxford United winger is returning to the form that helped them start the season so well after being out through injury.

Cook scored in City’s 2-1 defeat by Gloucester City and found the net in Tuesday’s 5-0 win against Bletchingdon in the Oxfordshire Senior Cup.

“Earlier in the season, Jamie’s displays were one of the main reasons why we got all those wins,” said Ford. “When he plays we have a better chance of winning.

“He can’t rely on what he did early on to justify his place in the side, he has to keep it up.

“On Tuesday, I thought he showed a lot of quality and composure. “Steve Basham is out (calf strain) so he’s my most experienced player at the top of the pitch.”

Ford said Cook, who played as a two alongside Ashan Holgate, could keep his place against Histon, though admitted Callum McNish, Josh Mulvany and Zac McEachran are also in contention after impressing in midweek.

Ford feels his side need six points to be safe from the drop.

He added: “Forty-five points is a nice figure for me, but I want us to get there quickly.

“We have an opportunity on Saturday to get three of them.”

City will also be without Liam Malone (ankle) while Chris Willmott (cracked rib) and Darren Pond (hamstring) are rated 50-50, though Declan Benjamin is back from a ban.

Oxford City: from Ingram, Gunn, Stonehouse, Ballard, Learoyd, Willmott, Bell, Pond, Holgate, Barcelos, Mulvany, Cook, McNish, Stanley, Glass, McEachran, Benjamin.