The Shaymen face their fourth encounter of the season with Oxford United at The Shay this evening, in front of the Sky TV cameras. The lads will be hoping to return to winning ways following defeat at Tamworth at the weekend.

Our season began against the newly relegated Oxford way back on August 12th, when 5,785 people turned up to Oxford's Kassam Stadium to witness the home side's first ever Conference fixture. The day belonged to Oxford with a relatively comfortable 2-0 victory against a Town side which was to struggle with its early season form. Match Report

More recently, we faced them at the Kassam in early January in an FA Trophy match, which finished in a 2-2 draw, courtesy of a late Darryn Stamp equaliser on his debut. The replay at The Shay was one of the most thrilling games of the season, resulting in a 2-1 win for Town with goals from Shane Smeltz and Nathan Joynes, in a game played at a pulsating pace. Match Report

Our opponents were hot tips for promotion following their relegation from League Two and started the campaign in fine form, not losing a match until 18th November against Gravesend - their 19th match of the league season. Since then, however, their form has become increasingly erratic, winning just 1 of their next 13 league matches. More recently, though, Jim Smith's side seemed to have turned things around, with 5 wins in their last 7 games, the most recent being a 3-0 victory at Altrincham on Saturday. United currently lie second in the table, some 9 points adrift of leaders, Dagenham. League Table

Although formed in 1893, Oxford did not become a professional outfit until their ascent into the old Southern League in 1949. They were elected to the Football League in 1962 when Accrington Stanley folded, winning promotion in only their second season. By 1982 however, the club was on the verge of financial ruin and was rescued by multi-millionaire publisher, Robert Maxwell. Under Maxwell, Oxford achieved successive championships of the old third and then second divisions (this remains a unique achievement) and in 1985-86 reached the top flight for the first time in their history. In their first season they narrowly avoided relegation but enjoyed the triumph of lifting the League Cup, beating QPR 3-0 in the final.

Two years later, though and they were relegated and, as Maxwell's business empire collapsed, the club's finances were once again severely challenged. Despite takeovers, the club gradually slid down the ranks during the 1990s before eventually suffering the ignominy of relegation to the Conference last season.

Overall Record Against Oxford United

P-9, W-2, D-2, L-5, F-11, A-20.

The Shaymen's record against Oxford is particularly poor, with our only league victory coming in a 3-1 win at The Shay, way back in February 1964. That said, we have met very infrequently over the years - our only meetings in recent times (aside from this season of course) were in the 2001-02 season, with Oxford recording 2-0 and 6-1 victories. Past history though is rarely a reliable guide - check out the odds for tonight's game at Shaymenbet

Team News

The Shaymen will be without loan winger Felix Bastians, recalled by Nottingham Forest yesterday and will also be missing Shane Smeltz, away on international duty with New Zealand.

Former Town skipper, Martin Foster, currently on loan at Oxford will not be able to play against us tonight - he is suspended, along with Oxford's leading scorer Robert Duffy.

Club Connections

There are twelve players who have turned out for both teams in the past - David Brown, Mick Bullock, John Butcher, Tim Carter, Andy Crosby, Ken Hale, Nick Lowe, Leon Mike, Tony Parks, Phil Whitehead, Michael Williams and, of course, Martin Foster.

Can't Get to the Game

Listen to commentary on Match Live whilst keeping a check on all the latest scores.

Other Games

For details of today's other games in the Nationwide Conference Click Here

Next Match

The Shaymen have a rare weekend off before next Tuesday's visit to strugglers, Southport. Kick off 7.45pm.