Chris Maguire in Football League Trophy action against Bradford City in January 2017

Bradford City trundle down the M1 on Saturday as they look to become the first side to win at the Kassam this season. If they do, it’ll be for just the fourth time in 21 games in the Shire that they’ll have taken maximum points, going right back to United’s first season as a Football League outfit.

Their first visit to the Manor took place on Good Friday in April 1963, when goals from Bud Houghton and Peter Bowstead earned those boys in Old Gold a 2-1 win, completing the double over the Bantams in the return game three days later.

Just under a year later, in March 1964, Mick Hartland scored for Oxford in a 1-1 draw, before the U’s were back to winning ways in February 1965, beating City 3-1 thanks to a Colin Booth brace and a goal from United’s top scorer Graham Atkinson.

It was the same scoreline in the next meeting, in January 1978, when two from Peter Foley and one from Hugh Curran did the damage, and it got even better in March 1983, when United ran out 5-1 winners thanks to a Neil Whatmore hat-trick and strikes from Andy Thomas and Mick Vinter (below).

Mick Vinter heads home against Bradford, March 1983

In October 1983, United were on their way to the Third Division title, beating Bradford 2-0 in Headington on their way. Trevor Hebberd scored both goals for Oxford, way before he became a Manor Legend.

Trevor Hebberd scores from the spot as United beat Bradford 2-0, October 1983

Five years later, in October 1988, both sides were in the Second Division as City inflicted their first win against Oxford in the City of Screaming Tyres. Goals from Martin Foyle, Richard Hill, and Les Phillips weren’t enough to prevent the Bantams taking all three points as they scored four in reply.

United exacted revenge just under a year later, in September 1989, thanks to goals from Paul Simpson and Robbie Mustoe in a 2-1 win.

That was the first of four straight home wins for United over Bradford, with the next coming in March 1995, when Paul Moody scored the only goal of the Third Division fixture.

Almost exactly a year later, in March 1996, both sides were on their way to promotion to the second tier, but Moody and Martin Aldridge gave the U’s the bragging rights in a 2-0 win at the Manor.

It was 2-0 again in the Championship (although it was called Division One back then, being the second division) in September 1996, and Moody was on target again for the third home game against Bradford in a row. Nigel Jemson had opened the scoring.

In September 1997 neither side could find the net, and in December 1998 Bradford came away with a 1-0 win for just their second win in this fair city. That was their last visit to Oxford until January 2011, when the U’s were in their first season back in the league after a Conference meeting that over ran. United restored their winning ways over the Bantams thanks to goals from Steve MacLean (allegedly) and a Tom Craddock bullet header from range (not necessarily long range).

In August 2011 the sides drew 1-1 in League Two, with Simon Heslop on target for the Yellows, while in September 2012 Bradford secured their last win in Oxford as they scored two without reply. In the four home games since, Oxford have won three and drawn one.

The first win came in Oxford’s first season back in League One, in October 2016, when Chris Maguire scored the only goal of the game direct from a free kick after Billy Clarke had missed a first-half penalty for Bradford.

The sides met in a cup competition for the only time in Oxford in January 2017 as the U’s were on their way to their second successive futile final of the whatever it was called back then Trophy. A penalty from Maguire and a Marvin Johnson screamer secured United’s passage, despite City scoring a late consolation.

In September 2017 the sides drew 2-2, with Wes Thomas and Joe Rothwell on target for the Yellows after Bradford had taken the lead, only for the visitors to equalise in stoppage time.

The last time the teams met was in March 2019, with both sides hoping to escape relegation to League Two; a feat that Oxford achieved but Bradford didn’t. That was partly due to a controversial goal by Jamie Mackie that was eventually allowed to stand after lengthy protests from both sides. First, City were convinced they should have had a corner but a goalkick was awarded; then there was a dispute over whether or not there were any Oxford players in the United area from the goalkick (that was a no-no back then).

With neither decision going the visitors’ way, Mackie scored the winner with a spectacular volley in the 94th minute, leading to fun and games on the touchline, with referee Andy Davies first appearing to insist the goalkick be retaken before the assistant referees got involved and the goal was finally given. What fun.

The Match

This is the first of two consecutive home biggies, with top-of-the-table Stockport County visiting on Tuesday. Bradford were top before last Tuesday’s games but were held to a goalless draw at Burton Albion to slip off the pole.

Bradford haven’t lost an away game since going down 2-0 at Plymouth on 29th August and are unbeaten in any of their last seven league matches. In fact, they haven’t conceded a goal since a 1-1 draw at Reading on 3rd October and have won three of their six away games, that game at Home Park being their only defeat.

But never mind, because the U’s have yet to lose at home, drawing twice and winning twice, including Tuesday’s 2-1 demolition of Wigan Athletic (the scoreline might not reflect that it was a demolition, but the stats tell a completely different story, and we all know that stats matter more than actual results). United are also on an undefeated run of their own, currently on a run of six games without a loss.

So, Oxford sit three points behind Bradford but with a better goal difference and with two games in hand on the Bantams. While points on the board are preferable to games in hand, it’s nice to be able to point to the fact that United have played fewer games than any other side in the division as the reason why we’re not currently top. All we have to do is win those games when they eventually come around (ahem).

There were no new injury concerns for Aaron Ramsey following the Wigan win, so any changes to the line-up will be either tactical or due to player rotation (which I guess is tactical, in a way). United will have Peter Kioso and Gatlin O’Donkor back from suspension following their red cards in the draw at Mansfield Town, and with Aidomo Emakhu making his return from injury on Tuesday the squad is looking healthier than it has for some time, especially given that both Jeon Jin-Woo and Ruben Roosken are back in training, leaving just Frankie Kent (remember him?) and Jamie McDonnell as the two long-term absentees.

There were one or two questioning Jamie Cumming following Wigan’s equaliser on Tuesday and a dodgy clearance or two, but I’d be frankly astonished if he were dropped for Simon Eastwood. Cumming had been out for a few weeks with injury and all players require a couple of games or so to get back up to speed, and they have to be allowed to do so, whatever the more impatient supporters might think.

The bigger question mark is whether or not the indestructible Kioso comes straight back in and, if so, who for (or for whom, whatever)? Both Brodie Spencer and Jack Currie played well on Tuesday and it would be a brave manager that changes a winning team. Of course, Azza Razza is brave, but my guess is that he’ll stick with the two full backs that played against Wigan. I can’t see either Michał Helik or Ciaron Brown losing their place.

There are also decisions to be made in midfield, although following Tuesday’s game neither Cameron Brannagan nor Kai Andrews are likely to be looking over their shoulders. So does the gaffer bring in Louie Sibley (who had a fine cameo against Wigan) for Tyler Goodrham (who also played well). That might well depend on how he views the Bantams’ threats – are they a physical side, in which case the strength of Sibs might be preferred, or could the guile of Ty be key to unlocking their back line?

Then there’s the wingers. Mo Missanga started against the Latics but was well marshaled by their left back, while on the other flank Siriki Dembélé made hay while the rain fell in a man-of-the-match performance (according to the match sponsor; personally, I’d have given it to Andrews but what do I know). Mo is young and has a lot to learn, but then the same applies to his likely replacement Luka Lynch. It may just come down to whether Az prefers a left footer cutting inside (Mo) or a right footer getting to the byline (Luka Lunch). Dembélé is almost certain to start, despite Emakhu’s rather excellent – if profligate – cameo.

Up front, despite his return from suspension I suspect that GOD will have to oversee the universe from the bench, with Mark Harris continuing in the centre of the front three. Sparky didn’t really shine against Wigan but his constant pressing kept the away team confined to their own half for much of the game, especially in the first 45 minutes. With Gats’ return, he can now run himself even more ragged knowing that a capable replacement can come on to finish the job.

All of which is a rather long-winded way of saying that there are now plenty of options available for team selection, but in my mind most of the changes will be on the bench, where Raz has lots of scope to alter things during the game.

It won’t be an easy game by any means on Saturday, and this will certainly be the side’s biggest test of the season at home (until Tuesday) but with Oxford’s form and an almost fully fit squad to choose from, this is a great opportunity for the Yellas to keep up with the pack.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, Oxford United Women travel to Portchester in the WFA Cup first round, followed by a home league game against Real Bedford on Wednesday evening. The Sunday game should be a nice day out (albeit a tad blowy, by all accounts) while the midweek fixture is another important match as the U’s look to maintain their 100 per cent record and keep the gap over Fulham and Bournemouth. See you all there!

UTFO