Super Kevin Francis on target against Stockport, February 1998

Following the visit of third-placed Bradford City on Saturday, United welcome second-placed Stockport County on Tuesday. Both the Bantams and the Hatters topped the table a week earlier before dropping points saw them being displaced at the top, by Stockport in Bradford’s case and by Huddersfield in Stockport’s.

It has to be said that County don’t have a great record in the county. They have won just once in their 11 visits to the Shire and that goes way back to January 1954, when the world was still black and white. That was an FA Cup third round replay at the Manor after Southern League Headington United held Third Division (North) Stockport to a 0-0 draw at Edgeley Park. Bob Peart was United’s history maker, scoring the only goal of the game to send the U’s through to face First Division giants Bolton Wanderers (Nat Lofthouse et al) in the fourth round. The attendance was 9,955.

The teams met again in Oxford as equals in Division Four in October 1962, the U’s first season as a Football League club. There were exactly 60 people fewer in the ground to watch this game, which ended in a 1-1 draw. An own goal by Graham Ricketts kindly earned United the point.

In October 1963 an Alan Willey goal was enough for Oxford to win the game, while just under a year later, in October 1964, the U’s won 2-0 thanks to goals from Bill Calder and Peter Knight.

The next meeting came in December 1967, with both clubs a division higher. John Shuker scored twice for United but it was only enough to earn a point in a 2-2 draw.

Almost three decades went by before the sides met again, in February 1995. This time, Oxford brushed off the Hatters with a 4-0 win. Matt Murphy opened the scoring in the first half and strikes from Micky Lewis, David Rush from the penalty spot, and Chris Allen rounded off the scoring.

United were unable to win promotion that season, but in the following campaign they made amends, helped by a 2-1 win over Stockport in October 1995. This was Joey Beauchamp’s first game back after his erroneous moves to West Ham and elsewhere, and he helped the Yellows to a second-place finish. Phil Gilchrist scored the opening goal against County and, after Stockportshire had equalised, Moody grabbed the winner.

The sides returned to Manor action in February 1998 in the Championship equivalent, with Oxford winning 3-0. Steve Davis struck first, followed by goals from O’Neill Donaldson and ex-Stockport striker Kevin Francis (main pic, top).

By the time the teams met the following season, in May 1999, United had virtually been consigned to relegation, needing results elsewhere to go their way to stay up (spoiler alert: they didn’t). So, needing to win by four clear goals, they racked up their best win yet over Stockport, smashing them for five without reply. Gilchrist was first to score and Paul Powell next, followed by Beauchamp. In the second half, Murphy added a fourth and Andy Thomson a late fifth, but alas to no avail.

In August 2005 the teams met in the basement division in a game that ended 1-1 in a season that ended in relegation out of the league for United, whose goal was scored by former Stockport defender Leo Roget.

The last time the sides met was way back in September 2010, Oxford’s first season back after their four-year Conference sojourn. Stockport won 1-0 to secure their only win in Oxfordshire so far.

The Match

The third of three home games in a week (or eight days, if you want to be pedantic) sees second-placed Stockport try to be the first team (other than Oxford) to take maximum points at the Kassam this season. Wigan were beaten last Tuesday, Bradford took a point on Saturday, and now it’s the turn of another team from north of Banbury (i.e. the far north).

The weather forecast for Tuesday is dry and blustery, so not as biblical as it was on Saturday, when the conditions favoured whichever side was kicking towards the East Stand.

County were knocked off the top of the table when they could only draw 1-1 with Notts County on Saturday. They were a goal down before Adama Sidibe’s 81st-minute equaliser. This ended a run of four straight wins for Stockport, including victory on the road at Doncaster Rovers. The Hatters have also won 4-0 at Wigan and 3-1 at Plymouth Argyle.

Stockport are on an unbeaten run of six league games, while United haven’t lost in their last seven. What are the odds on another draw? (Rhetorical question: betting is a mug’s game.)

Despite the recent plethora of games, Oxford have no new injury concerns as far as we know. This leaves gaffer Azzer Razza free to select from an almost completely fit squad. Just Frankie Kent and Jamie McDonnell are unavailable for at least the rest of the year, while Jeon Jin-Woo and Ruben Roosken are in training but unlikely to be ready for a return to action just yet.

This allows Ramsey to choose a side based on tactics and form, although he does have a few decisions to make in all areas of the pitch.

In goal, Jamie Cumming made three important saves against Bradford on Tuesday and it’s difficult to see a way back in for Simon Eastwood as the cheesecake king improves game by game since his return from injury.

There ain’t nobody likely to threaten centre backs Michał Helik or Ciaron Brown, who must both surely be among the best at this level (although admittedly I haven’t seen them all yet). Neither Brodie Spencer nor Jack Currie did anything on Saturday to suggest that they’re likely to be dropped, meaning Peter Kioso and Sam Long will both probably be warming the bench on Tuesday.

It’s in midfield where things get a bit more interesting. For the second game in a row, Louie Sibley has had an excellent cameo off the bench and must surely be at least in the question about who starts on Tuesday. Against Bradford, he came on for Cameron Brannagan, but the skipper is unlikely to be dropped from the starting line-up, given the drive and leadership he gives the side.

Kai Andrews has been quietly impressive in the last couple of games, finding space, making runs, and picking passes, and that should ensure that he starts. However, especially in the second half on Saturday, Tyler Goodrham started to struggle with the physicality of Bradford’s approach, and if anyone is to make way for Sibley, I would suggest it’s likely to be Ty. I guess it depends somewhat on whether or not Stockport’s game is similar to Bradford’s; if they allow Oxford to have space in the middle of the park, then it’s a game in which Tyler’s creativity might thrive, but if they’re going to be looking to use brawn rather than brain, Sibs could be included.

There is even more potential for rotation up front. On the right, Mo Missanga had some joy but hasn’t been able to impose himself in the way he did when he first broke onto the scene at the start of the season. No shame in that: he’s young and still learning the ropes. His likely replacement – if he doesn’t start – is Aston Villa loanee Luka Lynch. A tricky winger in a similar mold to Mo, Lunch has also made an impressive start to life as a senior pro, capped by that superb goal at Mansfield. It’s a great choice for the manager to have.

We’re fairly certain that after Saturday’s substitute appearance, Aidomo Emakhu won’t be playing on the right wing. And given Siriki Dembélé’s red-hot form at present, he’s unlikely to be selected ahead of him on the left just yet, so a place on the bench again beckons for Dynamo.

Up top is a harder decision. Does Rammo opt for the youth and pace of Gatlin O’Donkor, or the experience and know-how of Mark Harris. GOD almost smote Bradford on Saturday, with two great chances to score, and it would be harsh to drop him if it were for that reason. He gets into the positions and his athleticism and power will reap rewards, winning free kicks in dangerous areas even when he doesn’t find the net. With Sparky, however, you get a more subtle threat. His press and his ability to drop deep to pick up the ball often go unnoticed but are a real benefit to the side.

Whoever the gaffer chooses, we’re confident that it will be the right choice. For now, at least, Ramsey has a lot of credit in the bank and his decisions, whether it be who starts or who replaces whom during play, have almost always been spot on. We’re certainly not going to start questioning him just yet.

Tuesday’s referee is Stephen Parkinson, a stranger to these shores, although Stockport may remember him from their 3-0 defeat at Burton Albion in February.

On Wednesday evening, Oxford United Women are also at home, welcoming Real Bedford to the MGroup Stadium in league action following their FA Cup win at AFC Portchester at the weekend. The U’s remain top of the league with a 100 per cent record after eight games and conceding just one goal, while Bedford are eighth with three wins and five defeats.

Elsewhere, second-placed Fulham, six points behind Oxford but with a game in hand, travel to fifth-placed Lewes, and it’s third against fourth with AFC Bournemouth – eight points adrift of United after the same number of games – welcoming Portsmouth, a further two points behind but having played a game fewer.

Finally, a reminder that BBC Radio Oxford prodigy Robyn Cowen – well known for her commentary during England Women’s internationals and also at the recent men’s World Cup finals – is appearing at the Ultimate Picture Palace cinema on Cowley Road on Thursday evening, when she will talk about her career and her love of OUFC. Any profits from the event will be split between the Save the UPP campaign and Oxford United in the Community, the club’s charity arm.

See you at all three.

UTFO