Wrexham v

Oxford United

Saturday 29 April 2006

 

Kick Off @ 15:00



The U's

Jim SmithTorquay's 4-0 win over Stockport in midweek has left Oxford just one place above the relegation zone only due to a better goal difference than the inform Gulls. Oxford were vying for a play off spot up to the twentieth game of the season but since then there has been a gradual slump in form with the U's without a win in their last five away games.

Last month saw changes in the dug out and Board room at Oxford with Nick Merry replacing Firoz Kassam as Chairman in a deal worth a reported £2 million. Merry's first act as Chairman was to appoint the experienced Jim Smith as manager but he has so far been unable to fully address the slide that threatens Oxford's status as a football league club.

Merry has urged supporters to come out in full force to make the difference as the U's battle for survival. Merry explained to the club website: "The passion and the support the fans have shown has been superb and we are all desperate to reward that with safety. We are in control of our own destiny and if we stay positive that may drag a final extra effort out of the players."

Oxford's top scorer is former Wrexham striker Steve Basham who has found the back of the net on 13 occasions this season. Basham played five games on loan for Wrexham from Southampton in 1988 and since then he had another loan spell at Preston where he scored 10 goals in 15 games resulted in him joining the the Lancashire club for a nominal fee in 1999. A return of six goals in three seasons resulted in Basham moving onto Oxford for the start of the 2002/03 season and has since scored 45 goals in 139 starts for the club.

Past Encounters

Last 5 Meetings

Nov 05: Oxford 0 Wrexham 3
Feb 03: Oxford 0 Wrexham 2
Aug 02: Wrexham 1 Oxford 0
Mar 01: Wrexham 5 Oxford 3
Oct 00: Oxford 3 Wrexham 4

Wrexham came away from the Kassam Stadium with their first away win of the season in November. A Lee McEvilly brace set them on their way with mark Jones rounding the victory with a stunning third in the 3-0 victory.

The two teams last met when Wrexham were in the basement league three seasons a go with Wrexham coming out on top in both games. A late goal from Hector Sam earned Wrexham a narrow 1-0 win at the Racecourse but in the return match second half goals from Andy Morrell and Dennis Lawrence earned a comfortable 2-0 victory for the Red Dragons. In the 2001/02 season Wrexham again came out on top in both encounters with a total of 15 goals scored in the games, Wrexham winning 5-3 at Oxford and 4-3 at the Racecourse.

The clubs have met on 19 occasions in the league with Wrexham leading the way with nine victories compared to Oxford's three and there have been seven draws. Wrexham have won there last seven games against Oxford with the U's last win coming back in the 1982/83 season but they are yet to record a win at the Racecourse. 

League Form Guide

Team Last 5 Games League Position Form Position Last Win
Wrexham LLLWL 12th 23rd 2 games
Oxford LLWLL 20th 19th 3 games

Like Wrexham, Oxford come into the game on the back of only one win in their last five games. After Jim Smith recorded a win in his first game in charge the U's tasted defeat by a single goal in games against Mansfield and Chester. their only recent victory came against fellow strugglers Barnet in a 2-0 home win but this was followed up by another 1-0 defeat at Boston. In their last game, oxford fell to a 3-1 defeat to promotion pushing Northampton.

Bookies View

Wrexham are favourites for the win with Premier Bet offering 6/5 for the home victory with Oxford priced at 12/5 with Corals, Bet Odd or Even and Stan James. The draw is available at 13/5 with Tote Sport.

Team News

Wrexham Team News: Denis Smith is waiting on the fitness of Michael Ingham and Andy Holt before naming his starting line up with both players expected to have recovered from wrist and hamstring injuries respectively. Sam Williams has returned to Aston Villa after completing a three month loan spell and Wrexham are also without the injured Lee McEvilly and Jim Whitley.

Wrexham Squad (18): Ingham, Michael Jones, Pejic, Danny Williams, Lawrence, Mike Williams, Spender, Bennett, Roche, Crowell, Mark Jones, Ferguson, Mackin, Holt, Smith, Done Walters, Derbyshire, Marc Williams.

Oxford Team News: Oxford will be without Leo Roget who has picked up an ankle injury and this will mean John Dempster will partner Chris Willmott in the centre of defence. Youngster Andrew Gunn has been included in the squad to provide cover on the bench.

Officials: The match referee is SJ Dorr from Worcester and he is assisted by KG Evans and SA Pardoe with AS Watts as the fourth official. SJ Dorr has refereed 21 games this season, sending off 5 players and booking 83 at an average of 3.95 per game.


Coca Cola League 2:

Barnet v Stockport
Boston United v Rushden & Diamonds
Bury v Mansfield
Carlisle v Torquay
Cheltenham v Notts County
Leyton Orient v Peterborough
Macclesfield v Grimsby
Northampton v Chester
Rochdale v Bristol Rovers
Shrewsbury v Lincoln City
Wrexham v Oxford United
Wycombe v Darlington

Venue Guide

Address: Racecourse Ground, Mold Road, Wrexham, LL11 1AH

Telephone Number: 01978 262129

Fax Number: 01978 357821

Web Site: www.wrexhamafc.co.uk

Oxford Websites

How to get there?

By Car: Leave the M6 at Junction 10a to join the M54 and continue on this road as it becomes the A5 past Shrewsbury and Oswestry. When you reach Oswestry turn right at the roundabout (An ESSO Service Station will be on your left), staying on the A5. Continue straight through the series of roundabouts to join the A483 and leave this road at the junction with the A541. At the roundabout turn right towards Wrexham and after going straight over the next roundabout the ground is ahead of you on your left.

By Train: Wrexham General is next to the ground and there is a service every two hours between Chester and Shrewsbury. There is also an hourly service between Wrexham and Liverpool. Click here for the Network Rail Online Timetable or call national enquiries on 08457 484950. Click here for the Rail Track Online Timetable or call national enquiries on 08457 484950.

When you are there
Car Parking: NEWI College just before the ground and a local car park just before the Shell Garage on the opposite side of the road and both cost around £2.00. Free parking is available on the two retail parks by turning left or right at the second roundabout but do not park in ALDI or you will get clamped!

Beer and Grub: The Turf is right next to the Kop but it gets very busy in the hour leading up to kick off, so arrive early. The Official Supporters Club has use of the Centenary Club on matchdays and this is located behind the Sainsburys Stand with the entrance off the club car park. The Plas Coch Retail Park has a pub and is normally a favourite for away supporters. The Railway is located down the side road along the Remploy factory at the opposite end of Crispin Lane to the ground. There are plenty of pubs in the town centre and the closet to the ground is a Wetherspoons Pub by following Mold Road into the town centre and is found on your left hand side. If you continue into the town centre McDonalds will be on your left and the next pub you reach is The Horse and Jockey and opposite that under the archway is a good chip shop. There are more pubs on High Street and to find them continue pass the Horse and Jockey, passing Burger King on your left, and High Street is the junction with Burtons.

Cash Machines: The Shell Garage on Mold Road with further machines at Sainsburys and Boots on the Plas Coch Retail Park. If you are heading into the town centre you will pass a number of banks on your way to the pubs.

How much to get in?

Kop: £14; Sainsburys: £16 PG Stand: £17

Eric Roberts Away Stand: £16

Adult & up to 2 Children: £20 all areas

Two adults & 2 Children: £30 all areas

Seniors/Students: £10 Seated Areas/£7 on Kop

Juniors: £5 all areas

Disabled Facilities

Wrexham have 45 disabled places available at the front of the Pryce Griffiths Stand. There are 22 parking spaces and two disabled toilets with dedicated refreshment kiosks. Admission is £10 for the disabled supporter (£5 concessions) and the helper admitted free. Please contact Tony Millington at The Racecourse on 01978 262129.

Weather Forecast

Sunny intervals with temperatures reaching 13 degrees Celsius and a 10 mph northerly wind.