It’s FA Cup time again, and tomorrow United travel over the Chilterns, half an hour up the M40, for their first round tie against Wycombe, who have never beaten United in a cup competition. The game is all-ticket, and Oxford sold out of their 1,850 allocation while tickets were on sale to season ticket holders only. In the fifteen previous meetings between the clubs, both have won six times and both teams have scored 23 goals, so something has to give, possibly.

Jim Smith welcomes back Matt Day to the squad, after he served a one-match suspension against Aldershot for picking up five bookings. There is a slight doubt over leading scorer Rob Duffy, who broke his finger in the Aldershot match. He has had a cast fitted, which has been approved by referee Dermot Gallagher, but which match referee Scott Matthieson would need to approve before Duffy can play. Apart from long-term absentee Marvin Robinson there are no other injury concerns, and so Smith needs to decide who will play up front out of Duffy (if permitted), Yemi Odubade, and Steve Basham. He will also need to make a decision about the left wingback position, after Saturday’s successful return to action by Gavin Johnson, although his lack of match fitness might be the deciding factor in allowing Rufus Brevett to keep his place.

Wycombe feature a couple of United old boys. Striker Tommy Mooney scored 15 goals in 45 games for the Us, while right back Sam Stockley failed to score in his 42 appearances. Wanderers will be without former United target Jermaine Easter, who is suspended, while a number of other players can’t play due to international call-ups, ineligibility, and suspension. Wycombe are currently third in the fourth division, their only home league defeat coming against Lincoln, who beat them 3-1 at Adams Park in September. United, of course, go into this game still unbeaten, and with the local derby element will be hoping to carry that through into the second round. Should the game end in a draw, the replay will take place at Minchery Farm on Tuesday 21 November. Our heart says that this would be cool, but not as cool as beating them at their place. Our head, unfortunately, reckons that Wycombe will win 2-1. Bloody heads, eh.