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This evening will be the eleventh time Leamington and Oxford City have locked horns - and the first time for almost 10 years. Our last meeting came on New Years Day 2015 at Oxford’s Court Place Farm home, City winning 3-1 after Brakes had won the Boxing Day fixture 4-0. We are currently edging the head to head records as you can see below. Both of the last two meetings here in Warwickshire have been won by a four goal margin.

Remarkably, there will be a player in each squad who was involved the last time we met in January 2015. Jack Edwards is now in his eleventh season with Brakes, and is on course to break the modern day appearance record set by James Mace, while Zac McEachran joined Oxford in 2011, and bar a couple of seasons at county neighbours Banbury United, has been there ever since. Two club stalwarts deserving of huge respect from the supporters. Going even further back, Reece Fleet was involved in a game between the two clubs back in January 2012.

Below is a summary of our ten meetings to date, with snippets from the match reports…..

Head to Head

P W D L F A

H5 3 1 1 12 3

A 5 1 2 2 8 10

2009/10 - Southern League Premier Division

05/09/09 Leamington 1 Oxford City 2 - Att: 721

Leamington: Chris Kiely, Marcus Jackson (Mykel Beckley), Ryan Parisi (Michael Tuohy), Dan Pirvu, Guy Sanders, Liam Reynolds (Chris Murphy), Jay Denny, Leon Broadhurst, Luke Corbett, Mark Bellingham, James Husband.

Subs: Richard Anstiss, Adam Cooper.

Oxford City: Richard Knight, Andy Ballard, David Perpetuini, Dave Savage, Darren Pond, Andy Gunn ©, Mark Bell (Alex Fisher), James Clarke, Lee Steele (Mark Janes), Liam Malone, Jamie Brooks (Michael Alexis).

“The second half almost began in perfect fashion for Brakes, when Luke Corbett swept the ball out left for James Husband, who controlled before smashing a shot across Richard Knight towards the far corner, but the ball struck the outside of the post and went out of play. After this, Oxford quietly took control of proceedings, and went in front on 50 minutes. A cross fired in from the right was headed back across goal by Jamie Brooks, and Darren Pond was there to head home at the far post.

There was further frustration for the home faithful within four minutes, as from a scrappy patch of play in midfield, the visitors suddenly broke quickly. Lee Steele advanced into the open space on the left, and steered a low shot past Chris Kiely into the far corner.

With time running out, Brakes mounted a comeback, and Jay Denny floated in a perfect right wing centre for James Husband to volley past Knight and set up an interesting final few minutes.”

30/01/10 Oxford City 1 Leamington 1 - Att: 411

Oxford City: Jonathan North, Andy Ballard, Steve Davis, Dave Savage, James Clarke, Andy Gunn, Michael Lyon, Josh Emery, James Faulkner (Jon Douglas), Lee Steele, Mark Janes.

Subs not used: David Perpetuini, Ollie Lynch.

Leamington: Chris Kiely, Marcus Jackson, James Husband, Guy Sanders, Scott Lycett, Gary Knight, Peter Faulds, Stuart Herlihy, Luke Corbett (Matt Lewis), Mark Bellingham, Richard Batchelor.

Subs not used: Liam Reynolds, Adam Cooper, Chris Murphy.

“Leamington moved in front on 59 minutes, when a big kick up field from Chris Kiely was nodded on perfectly by Mark Bellingham into the path of Luke Corbett, who outpaced three Oxford defenders and rounded the keeper to slot home his 14th goal of the season.

City were level on 78 minutes when a long throw into the Leamington area was knocked on, and Lee Steele turned it in from close range.”

2010/11 - Southern League Premier Division

02/10/10 Leamington 2 Oxford City 0 - Att: 570

Leamington: Tony Breeden, Scott Lycett, Michael Tuohy (Alex Cowley), Lee Downes ©, Jamie Hood, Liam Daly, Marcus Jackson, James Husband, Matt Lewis (Craig Wilding), Luke Corbett (James Rowe), Richard Batchelor.

Subs not used: 14 Chris Murphy, 17 Peter Faulds.

Oxford City: Richard Knight, James Clarke, Jack Ashton, Dave Savage ©, Craig McIlwain, Wayne Blossom, Michael Lyon, Ashley Kington, Danny Lennon (Mark Bell), Aaron Woodley, Mark Janes (Ryan O’Hara).

Subs not used: Tommy Kinch, Paul Davis.

“Recent signing Jamie Hood headed his first goal for the club early in the second half to give Leamington the lead, and Matt Lewis, on a hot scoring streak, headed in his fifth goal of the week soon afterwards to give Brakes the win.”

23/04/11 Oxford City 2 Leamington 3 - Att: 373

Oxford City: Joe White, Michael Lyon (Adam Morris), Wayne Blossom, Jerome Anderson (James Dobson,), Andy Ballard, Dave Savage, James Clarke, James Organ, James Knight, Lee Steele ©, Marvin Martin (Felipe Barcelos).

Sub not used: 16 Paul Davis.

Leamington: Tony Breeden, Scott Lycett, Michael Tuohy, Alex Taylor (Jamie Sheldon), Liam Daly, Stephan Morley, Nick Stanley (Luke Corbett), Neil Barnfield, Jacob Blyth (James Husband), James Rowe, Richard Batchelor.

Subs not used: Chris Knight, Tom Cross.

“Brakes won this crucial fixture which meant that, coupled with Weymouth’s victory over Chesham United; Paul Holleran’s side had made the play offs.

Lee Steele had given Oxford an early lead which was cancelled out by James Rowe. The home side led again before half time controversially through Jerome Anderson, as moments before the City keeper Joe White had handled outside his penalty area, but nothing was given by the officials.

Scott Lycett thumped home a header for the equaliser early in the second half, and Rowe completed the comeback with 12 minutes remaining, curling home a beauty to win the game.”

2011/12 - Southern League Premier Division

03/09/11 Oxford City 2 Leamington 1 - Att: 366

Oxford City: Jason Mooney, James Clarke, Marvin Martin, Adam Learoyd, Darren Pond, Wayne Blossom, Felipe Barcelos, Declan Benjamin, Michael Lyon, Lee Steele, Jack Ashton.

Leamington: Tony Breeden, James Mace, Stephan Morley, Lee Downes, Jamie Hood, Liam Daly, Craig Owen, Alex Taylor (Michael Tuohy), Jacob Blyth, Tom Berwick (Ben Mackey), Richard Batchelor (Jamie Sheldon).

Subs not used: Kyle Cartwright, Jamie Sheldon.

“Lee Steele scored an early first half opener from the penalty spot. Felipe Barcelos went to ground very easily under a challenge from Jamie Hood, the Referee incurring the wrath of Brakes players and supporters alike as he pointed to the spot. Steele stepped up to send Breeden the wrong way and put Oxford in front.

Leamington couldn't seem to get out of first gear, and they were punished on 68 minutes when Barcelos streaked through a static defence to shoot across Tony Breeden and add a second Oxford goal.

Brakes pulled a goal back with 12 minutes to play, and a fine one it was too, Richard Batchelor chasing a cross field pass out on the right wing and driving into the penalty area, the ball deflecting out to Stephan Morley, who took a touch and crashed a curling drive into the far corner with the outside of his left boot.”

21/01/12 Leamington 1 Oxford City 1 - Att: 552

Leamington: Nathan Vaughan, Michael Tuohy, Stephan Morley, Lee Downes, Liam Daly, Asa Charlton, Jon Adams, James Husband (Alex Taylor), Jacob Blyth, Luke Corbett (David Kolodynski), Richard Batchelor.

Subs: James Mace, Craig Owen, Sam Adkins.

Oxford City: Jason Mooney, James Clarke, Adam Learoyd, Andy Ballard ©, Reece Fleet, Chris Wilmott, Liam Malone, Declan Benjamin, Oliver Taylor, Pablo Haysham, Marvin Martin.

Subs: Wayne Blossom, Mark Bell, Zac McEachran.

“Leamington were the better team in the first half but went behind in stoppage time when Oxford’s Oliver Taylor was well tackled by Asa Charlton on the edge of the area, only for the ball to fall to the feet of Pablo Haysham, whose shot was deflected by Liam Daly and looped over Nathan Vaughan into the back of the net.

…..Fortunately the leveller arrived in the 65th minute when Stephan Morley struck a powerful free kick into the bottom corner after Luke Corbett was brought down by Chris Wilmott on the edge of the area.”

2013/14 - Conference North

08/03/14 Oxford City 2 Leamington 2 - Att: 349

Oxford City: Mark Scott, Andy Ballard (Chris Wilmott), Paul Stonehouse, Michael Pook, Lee Henderson, Mark Preece, Zac McEachran (Mark Janes), Darren Pond ©, Mike Symons, Kayden Jackson, Tom Winters.

Subs not used: Declan Benjamin, Calum McNish, Adam Learoyd.

Leamington: Tony Breeden, Ryan Higgins, Stephan Morley ©, Joe Magunda, Liam Daly, James Mace, Matt Dodd (Lee Moore), Craig Owen (Josh Hawker), Danny Newton, Ricky Johnson, Peter Till (David McNamee).

Subs not used: Aron Wint, Josh Green.

“Danny Newton headed Leamington in front on 27 minutes, the in form front man rising well to head inside the near post from Ryan Higgins' long throw into the box.

Leamington barely had time to regroup before Oxford were level, Zac McEachran drilling a loose ball past Tony Breeden after the ball wasn’t properly cleared.

Breeden was forced to save with his legs from Tom Winters but Newton fired his side back in front before half time, turning well inside the box and shooting between two defenders, the ball finding the net through the goalkeeper's legs for his seventh goal in as many matches since joining the club in January, underlining his growing importance to the team.

Leamington were on top going into the break but unfortunately that was not to continue in the second half as City came back strongly. Michael Pook skied a first time effort over the stand, and Darren Pond’s weaving run ended with a tame shot rolling wide of the target, but Brakes were beginning to look a little ragged at the back culminating in a second equaliser for Oxford when Tom Winters drew Breeden off his line with a dangerous run in from the left, stabbing the ball into the centre where Kayden Jackson forced it home despite the efforts of Stephan Morley on the line to clear.”

25/03/14 Leamington 4 Oxford City 0 - Att: 389

Leamington: Tony Breeden, Ryan Higgins, Stephan Morley ©, Joe Magunda, Liam Daly, James Mace, Aron Wint (Matt Dodd), Reece Flanagan, Danny Newton, Nathan Hicks (Lee Moore), Lee Chilton (Ricky Johnson).

Subs not used: David McNamee, Peter Till.

Oxford City: Matt Bulman, Darren Pond ©, Paul Stonehouse, Michael Pook, Mark Preece, Chris Wilmott, Viv Solomon (Josh O’Hanlon), Darren Mullings, Mike Symons, Kayden Jackson (Adam Learoyd), Tom Winters (Zac McEachran).

Subs not used: Declan Benjamin, Andy Ballard.

Brakes passed the 40 point mark with probably their best performance of the season as they thumped four goals past Oxford City without reply at the New Windmill Ground.

It was a new look side that took to the pitch with Nathan Hicks and Reece Flanagan making their home debuts, and Aron Wint his first start since joining at the beginning of the month. Walsall loanee Flanagan was the standout performer in a fine all round team display, scoring a sublime second goal and helping to set up the third for Hicks.

The opening exchanges revealed little of what was to come, the visitors doing the majority of the pressing without unduly troubling Tony Breeden’s goal, but in Leamington first serious attack on 10 minutes the game exploded into life. From a throw-in on the right Nathan Hicks skilfully manoeuvred his way into the box and rolled a perfect pass into the centre for Lee Chilton to crash into the net past Matt Bulman.

Flanagan showed the 389 crowd just why Saddlers’ boss Dean Smith rates him so highly. Chasing the ball and keeping it in play on the right touchline he cut back inside, beating Paul Stonehouse twice and dancing past at least two more of his team mates before arrowing a low drive into the net from a tight angle with the aid of a slight deflection; an outstanding individual goal.

Tom Winters saw a shot cleared away by Liam Daly as Mike Ford’s side tried to find some kind of rhythm. A good counter attack was wasted by a wayward shot from Mike Symons which flew well off target when the big striker had more time than he realised. His profligacy was further punished as Leamington put the game almost beyond their visitors 9 minutes before half time with another finely crafted goal. Stroking the ball around with confidence now, play was moved out to the right again, Flanagan accepting a return pass before placing a lovely ball in for Hicks to turn his man just inside the box and delicately curl a low shot beyond Bulman into the far corner, leaving Brakes fans purring with delight at what they were witnessing.

The Oxford keeper did well to deny Newton again as rampaged towards goal on a clear run, getting something on the ball to deflect it behind, but the striker was not to be denied, pouncing on the loose ball as Bulman parried James Mace’s downward header from the corner to crash it into the net.

2014/15 - Conference North

26/12/14 Leamington 4 Oxford City 0 - Att: 512

Leamington: Ross Atkins, James Mace, Stephan Morley © , Joe Magunda (Jack Edwards), Delroy Gordon, Jamie Tank, Matt Dodd (Simon Forsdick), James Fry, Jordan Goddard, Lee Moore (Aron Wint), Danny Newton.

Subs not used: Luke Connolly, Lewis Fenney

Oxford City: Salva De La Cruz, Declan Benjamin, Paul Stonehouse, Anders Del Alamo (Gregg Pearson), Jose Lapoujade, Alejandro Santiago, Felipe Barcelos (Shepherd Murombedzi), Darren Pond © , Adi Yussuf, Javi Rodriguez (Mammadou Fofana), Tom Winters.

Subs not used: 14 Lewis Wilson, 17 Mark Scott

Brakes turned the formbook upside down to brighten up a miserable afternoon in South Warwickshire as Paul Holleran’s men brought visitors Oxford City’s unbeaten streak to an abrupt halt with their first win in 11 Conference North games.

There was an element of good fortune involved in the opening goal, something that has been in short supply this season, which made it most welcome. A quick throw by James Mace was flicked onto Lee Moore by Danny Newton. Goal side but surrounded by three defenders, Moore nudged the ball into the centre to Jordan Goddard, who took two touches and fired in a low drive that appeared to lack the power to beat Salva De La Cruz in the City goal, but a deflection off the unfortunate Declan Benjamin ensured that the ball beat the keeper and found the bottom corner of the net.

It was Leamington’s close pressing approach that helped create their second goal. After Matt Dodd had lost possession up by the corner flag on the right a combination of Joe Magunda and Jamie Tank won the ball back, Stephan Morley beating an Oxford player to it to feed Goddard who calmly looked up and with a simple yet effective pass sliced through the visitors defence to play in Dodd, who matched his team mates’ composure by chipping De La Cruz as he rushed from his line to close him down, the ball dropping into the unguarded net.

Lee Moore’s neat back heel set Newton away down the left, his weaving run past three defenders ending with a shot that was kept out superbly by a diving defender, but the loose ball fell kindly for James Fry, the on loan Birmingham City youngster driving home his first goal for Brakes.

Great perseverance from Newton and Morley contributed to Fry’s second of the game on the hour mark. Oxford simply could not get the ball clear, the defender arrowing his shot into the bottom corner past the despairing dive of De La Cruz.

01/01/15 Oxford City 3 Leamington 1 - Att: 405

Oxford City: Salva De La Cruz, Declan Benjamin, Jose Lapoujade, Anders Del Alamo (Mamadou Fofana), Lee Henderson, Alejandro Santiago, Lewis Wilson, Darren Pond, Adi Yussuf (Greg Pearson), Javi Rodriguez (Felipe Barcelos), Tom Winters.

Subs not used: Mark Scott, Paul Stonehouse.

Leamington: Lewis Fenney, James Fry (Lee Chilton), Stephan Morley ©, Joe Magunda, Jamie Tank, James Mace, Matt Dodd (Aron Wint) , Jack Edwards, Danny Newton, Lee Moore (Simon Forsdick), Jordan Goddard.

Subs not used: Luke Connolly, Matt Hill.

Oxford City meted out swift payback for their Boxing Day hammering at the New Windmill Ground to ensure that 2015 got off to a disappointing start for Leamington.

The fine margins on which games can turn in this division were highlighted once more as Oxford took the lead after forcing several corners and another save from the overworked Lewis Fenney, Tom Winters beat James Fry to centre for Adi Yussuf to steer home.

The same source set up a second goal for Lewis Wilson to crash a volley into the net seven minutes later, and within two minutes Oxford had extended their lead further as Leamington crumbled, Yussuf appearing to have all the time in the world as he picked up a half cleared Winters cross, juggling the ball before firing past Fenney.

Paul Hollerans’ late substitutions helped to stem the tide, the returning Lee Chilton almost bagging a goal as he drove low across goal and just wide through a crowd of players. James Mace’s through ball was almost inch perfect for Newton to latch on to, but when a goal arrived for Leamington it was too late to save the game. A free kick won out on the left, almost in front of the visiting dugout was floated towards goal by Jordan Goddard, keeper De La Cruz misjudging the flight of the ball completely as he helped it into the net.

They’ve played for both clubs….

Wayne Blossom, Lee Steele, Darren Pond, Nick Stanley, Eliot Sandy, Marvin Robinson, Josh Green, Will Green, Laurie Walker, Henry Landers.