The latest traumatic episode in Oxford's history arrives tomorrow as the team travel to Farsley Celtic for another no-win situation.[@opponent]Farsley Celtic[/@opponent][@connection]Farsley Celtic[/@connection] United are expected to beat another of the Conference's part-time new boys, but with the woes currently besetting the side no one would bet against another humiliation. At least this game, despite being played on a Sunday, is not in front of the Setanta cameras. As with the Droylsden and Histon debacles, this farce at Farsley will be the first time that United have met this lot, which doesn't augur well for the final score.

As if things weren't bad enough, United are suffering from a number of injuries. Rob Duffy, Eddie Anaclet, and Joel Ledgister remain sidelined, while Barry Quinn and Gary Twigg both missed the Torquay match through injury and could still be missing tomorrow. In addition, Eddie Hutchinson had to be substituted after getting a knock, while both Billy Turley and Yemi Odubade both got clattered as well. On the plus side, Chris Willmott and Phil Gilchrist both came through the 90 minutes unscathed (at least physically), and Jim Smith has brought in two Second Division loanees in striker Jordan Rhodes, from Ipswich Town, and midfielder Stefan Bailey, from QPR. Turley should be fit to play, although doubtless Alex Cisak will be standing by just in case, while the back five is likely to remain the same as started against Torquay (unless Matt Day replaces Luke Foster). With Hutch probably absent, we expect to see Bailey come straight into the starting line-up, which is more than a bit harsh on both Danny Rose and Michael Standing, who are the only two creative midfielders in the squad, but who now look to have been pushed even further down the pecking order. Up front, Yemi should also be fit to start, and will almost certainly line up alongside Rhodes, which will be interesting. Alex Fisher could well be on the bench, being the only other fit attacking player available. Smith has hinted that he is looking for another striker to come in to replace Paul Shaw and as cover, but that certainly won't happen until next week.

Farsley have had an inconsistent start to the season, and currently lie fifth from bottom, four points above Altrincham. Their most recent game was a 3-0 win at Droylsden, which gives some indication as to the task facing United. On the plus side, they have Scott McNiven in defence, who is likely to be even slower and rounder than he was at Oxford, plus their best player, Amjad Iqbal, is apparently injured. Boosts like that don't normally mean too much to a United side that seems desperate to find new ways to constantly traumatise its supporters, but Rage Online is actually sneekily confident that this time the lads will get it right, based on nothing but a misguided half-full glass. We reckon that United will win 2-0, and we're usually wrong.

Conference results so far this weekend saw United slip one place to 13th, entering the bottom half of the Conference for the first time. This was because Crawley Town won 2-1 at Weymouth last night, with former ROS Jamie Cook scoring Crawley's first. Aldershot remain top, despite losing 2-0 at Burton Albion, who went third as a result. Second-placed Torquay welcome fourth-placed Stevenage Borough tomorrow. Cambridge United are fifth after being held to a 1-1 draw at third-bottom Stafford Rangers, with Courtney Pitt putting Cambridge ahead. Forest Green Rovers are just one point behind Cambridge following their 2-1 win at Rushden & Diamonds yesterday, while Exeter City are seventh despite being held to a goalless draw at bottom club Northwich Victoria live on TV this afternoon.

Second-bottom Droyslden continued their miserable first Conference season with a 2-0 defeat at eighth-placed Ebbsfleet United, while Altrincham stayed fourth from bottom after being denied a win at Salisbury City thanks to a last-minute equaliser that made the score 3-3. This was the result that pushed Sarum above United and thus put the Yellows into the lowest position in the last 48 years or so. York City continued their slow climb away from trouble with a 3-0 win at Woking, leaving the Minstermen in 18th place. Tomorrow's other game is Histon v Kidderminster Harriers.