Dan Agyei on target the last time United met Stevenage in cup competition, in October 2021

So we’re “Up for the Cup” on Saturday as United enter the competition at the first round stage for the first time in three years. The U’s face fellow Third Division side Stevenage in a draw that was universally described as “meh”.

At this stage of the tournament, a team like Oxford (insert your own hashtag) isn’t going to get a glamour tie because, for a lot of potential opponents, the U’s are the glamour side. Sitting joint second in the highest division that’s involved in this round means that you’re the side that the non-league minnows want to be paired with (or not, if they’d prefer to progress than cash in).

That’s why it’s considered a tad disappointing for Oxford fans that they weren’t drawn away to a part-time outfit composed of plumbers and geography teachers at a ground the side has yet to visit. Playing against one’s peers is both relatively boring and reduces the likelihood of progression to the second round. Stevenage fans probably feel much the same. At least Oxford are at home.

The sides have met before in cup competition, although just once in Oxford. In October 2021, Stevenage came to the Kassam Stadium in the group stage of the Football League Trophy and won 2-1, with Dan Agyei scoring for United (see top photo) to give them a first-half lead before Boro turned the game around in the second half.

The Match

United go into the match unbeaten in ten league games, but without another league fixture until they welcome Wycombe Wanderers to the Kassam on 21st November, this being Oxford’s last game before the next international break. Wednesday’s 2-0 win over Reading keeps the U’s in third place, level with Stockport but with a game in hand.

Stevenage, meanwhile, have slipped to 16th, having drawn 2-2 at Leicester last weekend and lost at home to Milton Keynes previously. In the League Cup, Boro opened their season with a win at Wycombe, but were soundly beaten 3-0 at home by Reading in the next round.

It will be interesting to gauge Aaron Ramsey’s approach to the game. As a three-time winner in his playing career, you’d assume that he would treat the competition with a measure of respect, so I’m not expecting the same kind of side that he would likely field against Cheltenham in the Obscure Sponsors Trophy on Wednesday.

With Jamie Cumming serving the second of his three-game ban, Simon Eastwood will almost certainly start in goal. I would expect some rotation in defence, although your guess is as good as mine as to what that would be. Michał Helik went off with a knock on Wednesday so, even if the giant Pole is fit, it’s likely that Sam Oxford United Long will start in his place. With Ciaron Brown called up for Northern Ireland, it will be interesting to see if he gets the nod ahead of James Golding for the other centre-back spot.

Likewise, Brodie Spencer could start before joining Ciaron en route for Belfast. Spencer can play on either the right or the left, so it’s anybody’s guess if Peter Kioso or Jack Currie gets the nod for the other slot. Talking of which, how good must DR Congo’s right-backs be if Kioso can’t get another call up?

Following his exertions on Wednesday, it might be tempting to give a rest to the skipper. Cameron Brannagan must have spent so much physical and emotional energy on Wednesday that national reserves must be almost empty. With Jamie McDonnell still injured for the foreseeable, Louie Sibley is Brannagan’s most likely replacement, with potential Wales debutant Kai Andrews alongside him; Harrison Bradney is likely to be kept in reserve for Cheltenham.

Given his lack of involvement in midweek, Luka Lynch is my favourite to start on the right against Stevenage, while I suspect that Aidomo Emakhu will be on the other side of Tyler Goodrham. This gives the opportunity to rest Siriki Dembélé while switching Dynamo to the left, where he’s proven more effective. Mind you, Mo Missanga would feel rightfully miffed if he wasn’t given a starting opportunity after effecting the Reading game so well from the bench.

Likewise, Gatlin O’Donkor will doubtless be knocking on Ramsey’s door asking for a rare chance to begin the game up top. Although Mark Harris, off to Wales with Andrews, may be given the nod as a farewell present.

Suffice to say, I don’t have a clue what the starting line-up will look like, although I’m confident that players like Bradney, Aidan Elliott-Wheeler, Louis Griffiths, Leo Snowden, etc. will be given their chance to impress in midweek. And that they will take it. There are some very good players coming through the academy, and I doubt we have heard the last of Kasway Burton or Monty Marriott either.

Oxford United Women have a huge game on Sunday as they travel to third-placed Portsmouth. They are eight points behind top-of-the-table United with a game in hand on the U’s. The game is at Fratton Park and is one that Oxford need a positive result from, with second-placed Fulham at home to Cheltenham Town. Following United’s draw with Real Bedford last Sunday, The Cottagers are now four points adrift of the U’s but have played one game fewer.

Oxford welcome Fulham to the MGroup Stadium on Sunday 22nd November in an even huger game.