Oxford City FC

 A Friday night F. A. Youth Cup tie vs Walton and Hersham awaited me as I visited Oxford City FC. I've visited Oxford many times as a York fan but always to the Kassam and Oxford United, never to City. As it turned out I was only down this way due to York being at Brackley the day after, still a good opportunity to visit, and for £5 entry very good value.


Similar to the Kassam in that it's miles out of Oxford City Centre, too far to walk so the bus it was, however unlike the Kassam, this ground has 4 sides not 3!


There was a healthy crowd there of 208, the visitors started well and had a dangerous winger number 20 but couldn't capitalise, a poor clearance fell to the Oxford number 9 who rounded the keeper and scored. A lot of spoiling tactics followed from Oxford which is rare in these youth games or at least the ones I've seen, about 15 minutes from the end and a low cross in was bundled home at the back post, 2-0 and game over. A game poor on quality in my opinion, but it didn't stop the scouts, there was one from Nottingham Forest there and probably many more. Oxfords reward is an away tie vs QPR in the next round. 


The ground itself is neat and tidy, good mixture of seats and terrace with plenty of cover, it still amazes me that this club plays in conference north, believe me, this is not the north, not even remotely. Sadly there was no club shop, limited merch behind the bar of mugs, socks or beanie hats, so eBay it was to get a pin badge. Failed to get a cup of tea at ht too as the urn was having to heat up first and I wasn't rejoining the back of the queue again,take my money and shout when it's ready would have been the logical solution but hey ho.


Food on offer was modern versions of burgers buffalo this and loaded fries that, all fairly expensive too, not to my taste but luckily for me I'd already eaten. 


All in all I have to give them credit, playing in a city with more illustrious neighbours and in a league where most of your opposition is hundreds of miles away can't be easy, so groundhopper if you are in the vicinity give them a visit. 


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