Oxford United entertain Northwich Victoria tomorrow in the FA Cup first round. This is the first time that Oxford have been drawn to play at home in the competition since they beat Swindon Town 1-0 on 8 December 2002.[@opponent]northwich victoria[/@opponent][@connection]northwich victoria[/@connection] Last season at this stage of the tournament, Oxford lost 2-1 at Wycombe Wanderers, after a late Gavin Johnson equaliser had given fans hopes of a replay.[@report]280[/@report] United go into the game following a 5-0 drubbing at Rushden & Diamonds nine days previously, after which manager Jim Smith flew off to Spain for five days, returning late on Wednesday. In that time, speculation has been rife that Smith is on the verge of retiring, or moving into a Director of Football role, although the club has been quiet on this, with an announcement expected later today. Whether or not this has had a destabilising effect on the squad remains to be seen, but it is unlikely to have helped, with many fans whipping themselves up in an orgasmic frenzy of hysteria on various internet discussion forums. It will be interesting to see how they direct their energies after any announcement, whatever might be revealed.

Oxford are, of course, still suffering from an injury crisis of frightening proportions. In order to address this, the club has signed defender Paddy Collins on loan for a month from Darlington. Collins has yet to play for Darlo this season, but played 31 times in the league for David Penney's side last year. He goes straight into the squad for tomorrow's game, and his presence possibly spells the end of Phil Gilchrist's involvement, at least for the time being, after the aging captain was substituted at half time at Nene Park. It is up front where United have the biggest problems, with Rob Duffy, Gary Twigg, and Marvin Robinson all still injured, leaving just Yemi Odubade, who was nursing a sore hip at Rushden and only came on at the interval, and young Alex Fisher as the only two fit strikers. Fisher has yet to start for United, although, following Jordan Rhodes return to Ipswich after his successful loan spell, that may well be rectified tomorrow. Fisher was on target for United's youth team on Wednesday, when they beat AFC Bournemouth 2-1 in the FA Youth Cup first round tie at Oxford City's Court Place Farm. Fisher scored both United's goals, first netting a late equaliser, and then hitting the winner at the start of extra time. This sets up a second-round tie at Stevenage Borough. In midfield things possibly look a bit brighter for United, as there is an outside possibility that both Eddies, Anaclet and Hutchinson, might be fit for tomorrow, while Micheal Standing should also have recovered from his recent injury, although Danny Rose may need another week. In addition, Matt Day, recently called up into the England C squad to face Finland in Helsinki next week, is also likely to be fit to rejoin the defence.

If we thought things were bad at Oxford, well they couldn't be any worse than they are at Northwich. The Cheshire club have won only once all season, winning 3-0 at Southport in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round two weeks ago. In the Conference they have picked up just three points, all from home draws, and have lost every away game. This is the first time that the sides have met in cup competition, last season United won the Conference home game 5-1, brushing aside the part-timers with one of their best performances of the season. This year, with Oxford's poor current form and the unpredictability of the FA Cup (apologies for the slip into clich