David Artell takes the reigns for the second time since his arrival last Monday, a second consecutive away trip as the Mariners head to the Kassam Stadium to face League One’s Oxford United in the Second Round of the FA Cup.

The First Round Replay victory over Slough Town at Blundell Park sent Town into the second round where they face high flying Oxford United at the Kassam Stadium.

Team News

Anthony Glennon and Rekeil Pyke were both in light training and will face fitness tests ahead of the game.

Danny Amos is ruled out through injury but the left-back is set to return next week while Jamie Andrews will be sidelined for a few weeks after sustaining an ankle injury.

Oxford United

Tomorrow’s opponents have recently appointed Des Buckingham as manager following Liam Manning’s departure to Championship side Bristol City. Buckingham’s side currently sit third in League One.

This weekend’s hosts beat Maidenhead United by two goals to nil in the previous round to reach this stage, with a second consecutive home draw this weekend.

Over the summer, Oxford added 13 new faces to their squad and 13 players departed, some of their notable additions include Ruben Rodrigues, who arrived from Notts County as well as Mark Harris from Cardiff and loan duo Sonny Perkins and Kyle Edwards joining from Leeds United and Ipswich Town respectively.

Greg Leigh is the club’s current top scorer, the full-back has five goals in eleven outings this campaign, he is closely followed by Rodrigues and Cameron Brannagan who both have four apiece.

Form

Tomorrow’s hosts have won three of their last five in all competitions beating Maidenhead, Chelsea U21s in the EFL Trophy and Leyton Orient in the league, the other two results saw the U’s defeated by Cheltenham and held to a 0-0 draw against Bolton Wanderers on Tuesday night.

Oxford have lost just once at home this season in nine games winning five and drawing three, the solitary defeat came against Port Vale back in September.

The Mariners are six unbeaten in all competitions coming into the game with Artell picking up a point in his first game in charge against MK Dons extending the unbeaten run.

The last meeting between the two sides came nine years ago on 8th November 2014, the then visitors Oxford won the game 1-3 and advanced into the Second Round of the FA Cup. The previous league meeting came back in 2005 in League Two the Mariners won 2-3 down in Oxfordshire.

Coverage

Mariners TV subscribers will be available to listen to the game live, as it’s an FA Cup fixture streaming is unavailable.

UTM