
Oxford City To Face Birmingham In FA Cup

Birmingham City Will Host Oxford City In The FA Cup Third Round
03/12/2018
EFL Championship side Birmingham City will play host to National League South side Oxford City in the Third Round of the FA Cup. The Blues are strong favourites for the clash against the only representative of England's sixth tier (or lower), which is scheduled for Saturday 5th January.
The long-term Championship dwellers enter the competition at this stage, having reached the fourth round of the tournament last time where Huddersfield Town eliminated them. Birmingham City have never won the FA Cup but have finished as runner-up on two occasions; in 1931 and 1956.
For Oxford City, ventures into the proper rounds of the FA Cup have been a rare foray during the clubs 136 year history but indeed reached the third round proper last season, where Nottingham County denied them further passage.
Victories against Thatcham Town, Staines Town and Maidstone United in the qualifying rounds earned Oxford City clashes against EFL sides Walsall and Swindon Town in the first and second rounds of the competition, with City coming out on top in each. They will be hoping for similar fortune against Birmingham City, although the EFL Championship side are a class above any team Oxford City have played against this season.
Indeed, Birmingham City have been installed as early 1-12 favourites to win the game, with home advantage on their side. The game be played at St. Andrews which has a capacity of just over 30,000. However, little over 10,000 are expected to attend against the non-league minnows as Birmingham are expected to waltz into the next round.
It has been a magnificent tournament to date for Oxford City striker Kabongo Tshimanga, who has scored five goals in the FA Cup proper & qualifying rounds so far, and the 22 year old Englishman is looking forward to the prospect of playing at a ground which has been host to some of England's finest players in the past.
For Oxford City Ryan Manager, the fixture has been a reward for the club's continuous improvement under his management. While the game highlights Oxford City's achievements on the pitch, the young manager was quick to point out the financial benefits of such a game for City.
I'm still delighted with an away trip to St. Andrews, Birmingham are a pretty big team in their own right
ScottT, not quite the PL team we hoped for but I'd expect a decent payout nonetheless!
Previous Update: #9 - Swindon Stunned By Stellar Oxford City
Next Update: #11 - Ferguson Signs On For Two More Years
The long-term Championship dwellers enter the competition at this stage, having reached the fourth round of the tournament last time where Huddersfield Town eliminated them. Birmingham City have never won the FA Cup but have finished as runner-up on two occasions; in 1931 and 1956.
For Oxford City, ventures into the proper rounds of the FA Cup have been a rare foray during the clubs 136 year history but indeed reached the third round proper last season, where Nottingham County denied them further passage.
Victories against Thatcham Town, Staines Town and Maidstone United in the qualifying rounds earned Oxford City clashes against EFL sides Walsall and Swindon Town in the first and second rounds of the competition, with City coming out on top in each. They will be hoping for similar fortune against Birmingham City, although the EFL Championship side are a class above any team Oxford City have played against this season.
Indeed, Birmingham City have been installed as early 1-12 favourites to win the game, with home advantage on their side. The game be played at St. Andrews which has a capacity of just over 30,000. However, little over 10,000 are expected to attend against the non-league minnows as Birmingham are expected to waltz into the next round.
It has been a magnificent tournament to date for Oxford City striker Kabongo Tshimanga, who has scored five goals in the FA Cup proper & qualifying rounds so far, and the 22 year old Englishman is looking forward to the prospect of playing at a ground which has been host to some of England's finest players in the past.

Birmingham City Play Their Football In The EFL Championship
Kabongo Tshimanga (Oxford City Player):
"We've had a great tournament so far and we can't wait to get out on the pitch at St. Andrews and compete against one of England's biggest clubs (Birmingham City). They may not be a Premier League side anymore but they are a massive club and have played host to some of England's greatest ever teams.
Stepping out onto St. Andrews will be a special moment for myself. It is a pitch which was once home to Trevor Francis, a true inspiration for myself as a striker. He played hundreds of games at the club and scored more than a few goals in style. It will be an honour to be on the same pitch that he used to turn out on.
I think we can give Birmingham a good run for their money. They're four divisions above us but we have plenty of heart in us and we want to play in the big occasions. We know we're not a big team but we will make up for that with our work on the pitch. We won't be beaten easily."

Birmingham City Have Plenty Of Experience Of Competing In The Premier League
For Oxford City Ryan Manager, the fixture has been a reward for the club's continuous improvement under his management. While the game highlights Oxford City's achievements on the pitch, the young manager was quick to point out the financial benefits of such a game for City.
Ryan Ferguson (Oxford City Manager):
"We're thoroughly delighted to have the opportunity to play against such a big club. Birmingham City have long been a well-supported football club in this country, and a very successful one at that. They have plenty of Premier League experience and a football stadium to boast. It is a fantastic reward for us to play against them.
We've earned this opportunity. The players have always given one hundred percent in training and have battled hard in every single game. Winning against Walsall and Swindon Town in the way we did in those games have shown how much the players have progressed in the short time we've been together. They've learned a lot about each other and about themselves and have given themselves the opportunity to have very good careers in football.
I think the chairman will be happy with this fixture. The financial benefits of playing at one of England's finest football stadiums in a major competition, such as the FA Cup, will definitely ensure that we have no financial issues to worry about anymore. The financial future of the club is now secure and that is down to the players' performances on the pitch."
Comment Section
mgriffin2012, absolutely but (unfortunately) we didn't get them
ScottT, not quite the PL team we hoped for but I'd expect a decent payout nonetheless!
Previous Update: #9 - Swindon Stunned By Stellar Oxford City
Next Update: #11 - Ferguson Signs On For Two More Years