Described as ‘a mixed season’ by Football Blues captain Jack Fletcher, the Blues have been strong at home all year – losing just one league fixture at Iffley through a last minute goal by a capable Nottingham side who head the BUCS division. With veterans Ezra Rubenstein and Peder Beck-Friis firing on all cylinders, the team have played attacking football and improved significantly throughout the course of the campaign. Though having lost three times on their travels so far, many by unfortunate errors and narrow margins, the Blues have chalked up vital positive results in a 3-1 victory over Worcester and a creditable 0-0 draw against Coventry in games that Fletcher said would ‘define our season’. Having secured 4 out of a possible 6 points against opponents in similar and precarious positions in the table the Blues were able to secure Midalnds 1A league survival for another season, finishing 3rd behind dominant Nottingham and Birmingham sides. Facing a large turnover of players and transition in personnel last summer, Fletcher has confronted similar challenges to that of David Moyes, though with arguably greater success – a 1-0 victory over UCD and a 3-1 triumph over Trinity College Dublin in the unbeaten Tour of Ireland showing the force and potential of the current crop. New boys Brook Tozer and Mike Essman have added bite and flair to the midfield, while healthy competition has kept all players on their toes.
The Blues now begin to look to Varsity on the 6th of April at Craven Cottage. In a game to be played immediately before the boat race, the team are excited to play at such a prestigious venue and in-front of a large crowd, who will experience great views of both the football and the river following the match, witnessing both of Oxford’s latest high-profile sporting endeavours. Fletcher summarised the Blues’ chances and feelings by saying, ‘The Varsity matches are always one-off occasions – we unfortunately don’t play at Craven Cottage every week – and form tends to go out of the window, so there is no doubt that it will be a very tight contest. The team and I are incredibly excited to play at a Premier League ground in the heart of London and we hope we can make amends for Varsity defeats last year’. With Cambridge having faced a similar mixed season, this season’s Varsity seems too close to call and promises to be an incredibly tense and exciting affair. Following last season’s close 3-2 defeat at Selhurst Park, Oxford have added incentive to go one step better and once again hang dark blue ribbons from the Varsity trophy.
The Blues will continue to train throughout Easter, with the much anticipated final squad announcement coming in the week leading up to the match. Defender Ben May and the Captain himself will hope to be fit for this year’s squad, having missed out through illness and injury respectively last time around. With so many new players in the squad, competition is stiff and training has become noticeably more intense, with every player raising the bar in their respective positions. This can only strengthen the Blues in their attempt to return the Varsity trophy to it’s spiritual home at Iffley Road. Supporters can buy tickets for the event now on the Fulham FC website or by contacting current University players – at a bargain price for what promises to be a fantastic afternoon of the beautiful game at a historic venue.
