Preview: Oxford United

17 September 2021

There aren't too many local games for Cheltenham Town this season, but Saturday's home fixture with Oxford United does represent the closest the Robins will come to a 'derby' game this campaign (kick-off: 3pm).

It's a distance of 45 miles by road from the Jonny-Rocks Stadium to Oxford's Kassam Stadium, and a number of Oxford supporters will travel along the A40 to Gloucestershire on Saturday for what promises to be a good afternoon of football.

It is the first League meeting between the two clubs since January 2015, while Cheltenham haven't lost a league match to Oxford since January 2013.

Tickets for the match are available to purchase online. Buy before midnight on Friday to save £2 on matchday prices. You can buy on the day at the different ticket purchase points at the stadium. Please buy before heading to the turnstiles which are all cashless.

Team news

Having trained this week, forward Kyle Vassell could feature in the squad on his return to fitness.

Charlie Raglan (pictured) misses out against his former club but there's an otherwise fully fit squad to pick from.

Media talk

Manager Michael Duff is well aware of the challenge his team are set to face on Saturday.

"We are not going to get carried away because we had a good 45 minutes at Charlton," he told the media at his weekly press conference.

"They (Oxford) are a good team. They're in the top four or five for everything in the league. It is going to be a difficult game.

"We can pass the ball and get results against bigger teams - that's what we get from last week - but we don't kid ourselves that we've made it."

You can watch Duff's full press conference for free on iFollow, while midfielder Conor Thomas has also been speaking to the press to discuss his recent performances and Saturday's fixture.

Opposition

Without a win in their last two League One matches, Oxford United travel the short distance to Cheltenham on Saturday positioned 10th in the league table.

Having made the League One play-offs for the last two seasons they are a team who know how to pick up results at this level.

With the likes of attacking players Matty Taylor, Gavin Whyte and Dan Agyei, plus further quality throughout their squad in the shape of Cameron Brannagan, Steve Seddon and ex-Wolves midfielder James Henry, they are another solid outfit with strength in all departments to visit the Robins this season.

The manager: Karl Robinson

A Football League manager for 11 years, Karl Robinson has taken charge at MK Dons, Charlton Athletic and now Oxford since 2018.

The 40-year-old played non-league football when he was younger but it is as a manager and coach he has excelled after starting his coaching career in the youth academies at Liverpool and Blackburn Rovers.

Match programme

Available to purchase around the stadium on Saturday, the match programme for the game is priced at £3 and features Liam Sercombe as the big interview. The midfielder discusses the start to the Robins season in League One and his time with Oxford where he enjoyed two highly successful seasons.

There are also interviews with Taylor Perry and Mattie Pollock, words from chairman David Bloxham, the latest from the Community Trust, Ladies and under-18s, a look ahead to the day's opponents and much more.

As well as being able to buy on the day, you can purchase the match programme online.

Tickets

Buy before midnight on Friday to save £2 on matchday prices for the game. You can buy on the day but please do so before reaching the turnstiles as these are now cashless.

Autovillage Stand tickets are on sale from the ticket office, while Colin Farmer Stand tickets can be bought from a ticket point outside the Parklands turnstiles. Standing tickets are on sale from the ticket portakabin in the club car park.

Cash or credit/debit card are accepted and the ticket office is open all day in the lead up to kick-off.

Pre-paid tickets can be collected for the Autovillage Stand, Paddock, Tunnel and Speedy Skips Stand from the ticket portakabin, with Colin Farmer Stand pre-paid tickets available to collect from the Parklands turnstiles. Away fans can collect their tickets from the entrace to the Hazlewoods Stand.

Match sponsors

On Saturday we are pleased to be welcoming Gardner Garages Ltd to the Jonny-Rocks Stadium as match sponsors.

They are a local family owned business operating petrol forecourts and convenience stores throughout Cheltenham and the South West.

They have been fueling the Gloucestershire motorist for over 55 years and have expanded over the years into Wiltshire, Worcestershire and Herefordshire.

Family directors, Clive, Stella, Emma and Ashton Gardner have over 110 years combined experience in forecourt and convenience retailing and petrol runs through their veins!

Coverage

Social media: Follow @CTFCofficial on Twitter for team news and updates, CTFC on Facebook for score updates and @CTFCofficial on Instagram.

Website: Read the match report post-match and see reaction to the result from inside the camp.

Radio: Tune in to live commentary on BBC Radio Gloucestershire and on iFollow.

Highlights: Watch extended highlights on iFollow, on YouTube, Quest and on Sky Sports.

Match Reports

Report & highlights: Robins 1-0 Oxford United

18 September 2021

Subscribe to watch

Cheltenham Town v Oxford United - Extended highlights - Sat 18th September 2021

Extended highlights of Cheltenham Town v Oxford United, Sat 18th September 2021 in the Sky Bet League One

Cheltenham Town beat Oxford United 1-0 after an Alfie May tap in saw the Robins win consecutive league matches for the first time this season.

Keeper Scott Flinders had a large part to play in the only goal of the match with a quick goal kick finding Kyle Joseph, who got in behind the U’s defence and assisted his forward counterpart May.

The Robins saw a lot of possession in the second half and piled on the pressure against United, and eventually the home side took all three points with May’s fourth goal of the season separating the two sides.

“I thought it was a good performance against a good side,” said manager Michael Duff.

“We’ve had to dig in. Scott [Flinders] made some good saves and Longy (Sean Long) made a couple of unbelievable blocks -it’s what we need, bodies on the line.

“They’re a good team. We have to be full tilt every game, but the pleasing this is that it’s back-to-back wins with a clean sheet on top of that as well.”

It was a fast start at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium with goal scorer May crossing the ball, within the opening minute, and opposing defender Luke McNally making a smart block which saw the Robins have their first corner of the match.

Taylor Perry, the loanee from Wolves who had an excellent game in the middle of the park for Town, drove into the heart of the U’s half and shot from distance, however it was just wide of Jack Stevens’ goal.

The first shot for the traveling side came after Ellis Chapman had the ball stolen from him near the Robins box, and captain James Henry struck the ball goal bound, but his effort went straight into the hands of Flinders.

The midfielder then went to make amends down the other half of the pitch, sliding the ball into the path of May, but his toe poked shot inside the U’s box was blocked.

United’s Henry had a second effort, which looked like it would sail into the top left-hand corner of the goal in front of the Sppedy Skips Stand, however it was denied by a diving Flinders.

Throughout the opening half, Matty Blair and Long travelled down the right channel and crossed the ball into the away sides box, but despite the danger the U’s dealt with it.

The second half began with United coming out the fastest with Herbie Kane finding Mark Sykes with a clever backheeled pass, however Long read the danger and sent the ball out for a corner.

Cheltenham responded with Joseph breaking on the counter-attack and setting up May for the forward to become the current top goal scorer in the league for the club.

Following the goal, the home side took control of the second half and searched for a second, with chances coming from Boyle and Mattie Pollock, but the U’s prevented the Robins from doubling their lead.

United struggled to get back into the match and the Robins saw the game out comfortably towards the end of the match.

CHELTENHAM TOWN (3-5-2): Flinders, Long, Hussey, Pollock, Thomas, May, Chapman, Boyle (c), Perry (Freestone 85), Blair, Joseph (Vassell 77).

Subs not used: Evans, Williams, Bonds, Horton

OXFORD UNITED (4-3-3): Stevens, Long, Thorniley, Rodriguez (Agyei 72), Taylor (Holland 72), Sykes, McNally, Henry (c), Whyte, Kane (Bodin 88), Seddon.

Subs not used: Eastwood, Williams, Forde, Mousinho

ATTENDANCE: 5,004 (1435 away)

REFEREE: Paul Howard

Ticket News

Buy in advance for Oxford United encounter

14 September 2021

Buy in advance for Saturday's big League One fixture with Oxford United at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium.

The U's make the short journey across to Cheltenham at the weekend for a 3pm kick-off.

After last Saturday's magnificent performance and away win over Charlton Athletic the Robins return to home soil for another exciting test against one of the division's top performers last season.

Oxford reached last year's play-off semi-finals and will be bringing a large away following to add to what's sure to be a brilliant atmosphere.

Tickets for the match are available to purchase online at any time and also from the ticket office during opening hours.

Fans are advised to buy in advance, and before midnight on Friday, to save £2 on the cost of matchday prices.

The Jonny-Rocks Stadium is cashless on the turnstiles, so make sure you have your ticket ready to go before heading into the stadium, and arrive early to make any necessary collections or purchases to avoid any queues.