FOOTBALL: City facing big fixture pile-up (From Oxford Mail)

FOOTBALL: City facing big fixture pile-up

10:00am Tuesday 19th March 2013 in Non League By Russell Smith, Sports reporter specialising in horse racing. Call me on 01865 425453

Talks were taking place last night in a bid to prevent Oxford City from having to play three games in as many days next month.

The fixture pile-up has arisen after City’s Blue Square Bet North clash at Bradford Park Avenue last night was called off due to a waterlogged pitch.

The second match in a scheduled quick-fire double-header, between the two clubs, the postponement came hot on the heels of Saturday’s game between the pair at Marsh Lane being called off.

Now the trip to Bradford’s Horsfall Stadium has been rearranged for Monday, April 8, with City to host the Avenue on Wednesday, April 10.

However, sandwiched in between on Tuesday, April 9, City are due to take on Thame United in the Oxfordshire Senior Cup semi-final.

And with a league game at Gainsborough Trinity on Saturday, April 6, it would mean they face four games in five days.

But City secretary John Shepperd said that discussions were being held with the Oxfordshire FA with a view to moving the semi-final, which is to take place at Thame’s ASM Stadium, to Wednesday, April 3.

“There was not much room for manoeuvre trying to fit Bradford in anywhere,” he said.

City manager Mike Ford admitted: “It is not ideal.

“I think if everyone is fit I have got 18 (players), so I am going to need 18 lads and those that don’t play one week may get a game the next because the games will be following very quickly.

“Unfortunately the Thame cup tie might be getting towards the bottom of our list of priorities.

“No disrespect to Thame or the OFA, as happened last year when we were going for promotion, gaining three points in Conference North outweighs winning a cup game.”

Meanwhile, City are due to face Oxford University in a Town v Gown clash at Marsh Lane tomorrow (7.30).

North Leigh’s game with Swindon Supermarine in Evo-Stik Southern League Division 1 South & West tonight is in jeopardy following heavy rain.

A pitch inspection is due to take place this afternoon, and secretary Keith Huxley described the chances of the game going ahead as “extremely doubtful”.

Wayne Turk is unavailable.

North Leigh: from Warrell, Clark, Westlake, Hole, Walcott, Bowles, Brooks, Shepperd, Sanders, Else, Mills, Alexis, Caton, McDonagh, Organ.

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