Tonight's action

In the Conference Ben Abbey was again on the scoresheet for Woking, scoring their second, from the penalty spot, in their 3-2 defeat by Gravesend. Mark Stein was also amongst the goalscorers, and also finished on the losing side, Dagenham & Redbridge going down 2-1 at home to Nuneaton Borough. Meanwhile Jon Richardson has finally signed for Forest Green Rovers after being on trial there since the summer.

In the Stocks

Sam Stockley is coming back to Oxford. He has been named in the fifteen man squad for Colchester United reserves to play at Court Place Farm tomorrow afternoon. Colchester also include first teamers Simon Brown and Kevin Rapley. United will give games to Ian McCaldon, Chris Hackett, Paul Powell, Jefferson Louis and Sam Ricketts.

Patterson of tiny feet

Former United centre back Darren Patterson was today announced as the new Youth Team coach. The former Northern Ireland international played in a couple of pre-season friendlies for the Us, and showed that he still cares for the club by his reaction at Aylesbury when their goalie clobbered Andy Scott in his first game back after injury. However Patterson has said that he has now retired from playing professionally due to injury and will be devoting all his time to coaching Oxford's under-17s and under-19s. This leaves Mike Ford free to concentrate on his role as Ian Atkins' number 2.

Windy hot air

There are totally unconfirmed and speculative rumours going around that former United players Dean Windass is in talks with Oxford and Hull about joining on a short-term contract. This is almost certainly bollox and, given the way that Windass played in his last game for United at QPR, is not necessarily to be welcomed if true (especially given that he would probably command at least £3,000 a week).