Exeter City Women will travel up to Oxford United on Sunday in another top of the table clash in the FA Women's National League.
Just one place and two points separate the two sides, with City having a game advantage, ahead of what promises to be an entertaining match at the MGroup Stadium. Abbie Britton's side will travel with revenge on their mind after the U's 3-0 win at SJP back in September.
This match is United's dedicated HerGameToo fixture, as the home side will mark International Women's Day with several events in and around the ground.
Away Guide
Planning on spending your Sunday in Oxford? The U's play their matches at the MGroup Stadium, National League North side Oxford City FC's home stadium.
How to get there
By car
The postcode of the ground is OX3 0NQ It takes aproximately three hours to drive from Exeter to the ground, and to plan your journey, see below:
Car parking
Parking is available at the stadium on a first come first saved basis. On matchdays, parking is available for £5, but be advised that parking is limited. The main car park is located outside the Community Arena and external 3G pitch. To reach this car park, turn left immediately when you turn into Court Place Farm and follow the road until you reach the car park.
If this car park is full, you can park in the car park that is located at the entrance to the site. Once you turn off the main road into the site, you will be able to see this directly in front of you and this is free at weekends.
Disabled Parking
There are specific marked bays for disabled supporters to use located close to the Main Reception. During the week, these are kept clear for facility users to use.
These spaces will need to be booked in advance by emailing andrew.gate@oxcityfc.co.uk or by calling on 01865 744493.
Parking Near the Stadium
Street parking may be available in and around the local area, but we ask all supporters attending games to respect the Residents Only schemes that operate in the nearby streets and not to park on the double yellow lines on approach roads or any grass verges in the lead up to Court Place Farm.
By train
Travelling from Exeter, the journey to Oxford will take just under three hours by rail, usually involving one change at Reading. After arriving at Oxford Station, the journey to the MGroup Stadium is around four miles, however there are good bus and taxi links available.
Tickets
Making the journey to back City at Oxford? Tickets are available in advance from Oxford United's website here, or on the gate, with seating and standing options available.
Tickets are priced as follows:
- Adults: £7
- Over 65/NHS: £3.50
- Under-16: £1
- Under-6: £1
Abbie Britton's Thoughts
💬 "I know I demand so much of them but it's because I know they've got the talent and desire to give it."
Abbie Britton on Sunday's trip to Oxford United, taking a different look at her players on International Women's Day and the Grow the Game initiative ⬇️
The Opposition
Unbeaten in five matches, Sam Rose's Oxford United team will be looking to protect their spot in the top three this weekend as they look to build on last season's fifth place finish.
Phoebie Poole netted a hattrick last week in the U's 3-0 win against Gwalia United, taking her tally to 12 goals this season, overtaking City's Sarah Stacey in the golden boot race but still two strikes behind Sophie Gillies. The U's have several quality young players, with the standout in the press being homegrown defender Cecily Wellesley-Smith, who has recently represented England at under-19 level after also playing in the under-17 World Cup last year.
The loan additions of Issy Bryant and Nicole Barrett in early February added depth to the side, who have shown they can win in several different fashions, whether that's sweeping 3-0 victories or coming from behind to beat Cheltenham 2-1 a month ago.
Following his appointment in November last year, Sam Rose made history as the first ever full-time manager of Oxford United Women. Prior to landing the top job, Rose was Carla Ward’s assistant manager at Aston Villa in the Super League, working alongside her to guide the Villans to a record-breaking fourth-place finish. During his first season in charge, Oxford finished 5th and will be looking to push on in the final few months of this campaign.
How to Follow
Live updates will be available on City's social media accounts, and we'll have reaction from Abbie Britton and a player at full-time!