Remember football? It seems like such a long time that Oxford were in action, especially in the Conference, that it's surprising to look at the table and see the Us still occupying top spot, albeit by a narrower margin than before. Tomorrow United will return to the pitch, ready to take up where they left off against Ebbsfleet United, whom they beat 4-2 over three weeks ago. The opponents are Salisbury City who provide symbolically significant opposition.

The Raymond McEnhill Stadium was where Chris Wilder made his first appearance as Oxford manager, one year and two days ago. This first game gave no indication of the record that was to follow, as United conceded two early goals before Sam Deering pulled one back. Deering then broke his leg, robbing Wilder of the side's most in-form player at that time. United have lost on both their previous visits to Salisbury, although under Wilder the club has shown contempt for these historical niceties.

With yesterday's game at home to Rushden & Diamonds falling victim, for whatever reason, to a frozen pitch, the team news for tomorrow's match remains the same. Adam Murray will serve his one-game suspension on the morrow, while the remaining members of the squad will jostle for the 16 places available. We still anticipate the return to the first team of ex-Salisbury 'keeper Ryan Clarke, defender Mark Creighton, midfielder Dannie Bulman, and striker James Constable.

Salisbury are not without problems of their own. They are undergoing a rather protracted change of ownership and are currently in administration, a situation that saw them deducted ten points at the start of the season. Nevertheless, they are still in 18th place, four points above Forest Green Rovers, who occupy the last relegation place. It was Forest Green who beat Salisbury 3-1 yesterday, with the Whites able to name just three substitutes, including player-manager Tommy Widdrington, a former United triallist. The good news is that the fog, which was yesterday's forecast weather for Salisbury, has been replaced by sunny intervals, although visibility remains very poor and the maximum temperature is reckoned to be just three degrees. [@opponent]salisbury city[/@opponent][@connection]salisbury city[/@connection]