OXFORD United will tomorrow renew their local rivalry with Reading for the first time in more than 20 years in the league.

The two sides have met twice in the Carling Cup since the last league encounter, during back-to-back seasons in the 2003/04 and 2004/05 campaigns.

The Royals won 3-1 at the Kassam Stadium in September 2003, backing that up with another away win, this time a 2-0 victory in August 2004.

However, what happened when the teams met in their last six league encounters?

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September 1997

Nigel Jemson gave United a second minute lead in the Division One clash, however Carl Asaba levelled matters for the Royals just after 20 minutes had been played. Lee Hodges nudged the home side in front after the hour mark, with the final score remaining 2-1.

March 1998

The U’s got revenge in style in the reverse fixture though. Joey Beauchamp scored a goal in either half, before Martin Gray added a third for United with 13 minutes to go, securing a fifth defeat on the trot for the Royals, who would ultimately finish bottom of the table and suffer relegation to Division Two. Terry Bullivant resigned as Reading manager the day after the 3-0 humbling.

Oxford Mail:

November 1999

Both teams now found themselves in the third tier, and it was United who won the first clash at the new Madejski Stadium. Rob Folland gave the U’s an early lead, however Jim McIntrye hit back for the home side. United found a winner though, via Matt Murphy with six minutes to go.

March 2000

The Royals hit back in the first clash between the two sides in the new millennium. Despite Paul Powell handing the U’s an early lead, Andre Arendse’s own goal and a Hodges strike put the Royals 2-1 up at half-time. Darren Caskey sealed the win just after an hour had been played.

October 2000

United were on the wrong end of a 4-3 thriller three days before Halloween. Caskey’s penalty put the Royals in front, but Derek Lilley hit back five minutes before half-time. Jamie Cureton restored the Reading lead, but an Adrian Viveash own goal just moments later made it all square again. Jon Richardson put the U’s 3-2 ahead, however Tony Rougier’s brace left United leaving the Madejski with nothing.

April 2001

The most recent league battle between the two teams was also the last at the Manor Ground, and key to the Royals making the Division Two play-offs (where they reached the final and lost to Walsall). It was a campaign to forget for United, who were relegated and beaten 2-0 by their rivals, Cureton and Martin Butler netting for Reading in a clash towards the end of the season.

Overall record

Across all competitions, the U’s edge the head-to-head record, with 19 wins compared to Reading’s 13. The sides have drawn just twice before.