Same again?

A rejuvenated Quakers will be hoping for a Sunday afternoon stroll at Oxford. Dave Hodgson's men played their most scintillating game of football in a long time in their previous outing against Southend United and will be hoping that they show the same sort of form when they run out at the Kassam Stadium.

Oxford United on home soil will prove a formidable task for Darlington. Whilst Graham Rix's side has looked patchy away from home they are yet to lose a game at home in the league yet. Speaking in the Northern Echo manager Dave Hodgson knows the game is going to be tough.

"Oxford have good players and Tommy Mooney is a player I would loved to have signed," admitted Hodgson. "They've had a little bit of a dip in form and we have to make sure we keep it that way until after Sunday. If we can get back-to-back wins that will give us a big lift for the next home game."

Last season's away trip to Oxford was special as just a few short days before the game Dave Hodgson walked back into the hot seat at the football club and helped save the club from relegation. Less than a year down the line things seem much better both on and off the pitch. Oxford United meanwhile have nearly a full squad to chose from ahead of the kick off.

"Jon Ashton and Danny Brown are out, and we sent Mark Rawle home with a virus. He was sick in the morning and we don't want illness going though the building so he was sent home as a precaution," Said Rix. "But on the plus front Mark E'Beyer and Barry Quinn have looked very sharp in training all week and done very well. Wanny has a slight dead leg but I think he'll be fine for Sunday, and the lads have been flying in training this week."

Matching the previous level of performance shown against Southend United will certainly be tough and to this end Dave Hodgson has said he will be leaving the side alone. This will mean Craig Liddle will not be in the starting eleven. The Quakers captain spent the Southend game on the bench and looks set to remain there.

"With all due respect, I can't change the side because the Southend performance was as perfect as you're going to get," said Hodgson speaking in the Northern Echo. "Are they able to continue to do that? The true test will come on Sunday. That is when we will see whether we have the ability, defensively and offensively."

Quakers have not had some good results at Oxford in recent seasons. The last outing resulted in a 3-1 defeat but before this Quakers had gained a point in the 2002/03 season. Richard Hodgson's long range effort finding the net late on to earn his side a point. The season before this Darlington managed a 2-1 win on the final day of the season so the visitors are no strangers to getting results at the Kassam Stadium.

Quakers could potentially jump up into midtable if they manage a result on Sunday afternoon. Remember full match commentary is available via Quakers World with Ray Simpson and a full match report will follow the game at some point on Sunday evening. To all those travelling have a safe trip.

Last ten meetings

2003/04
Division 3	Darlington	2-0	Oxford Utd	17-04-04
Division 3	Oxford Utd	3-1	Darlington	01-11-03
2002/03
Division 3	Oxford Utd	1-1	Darlington	14-01-03
Division 3	Darlington	0-1	Oxford Utd	17-08-02
2001/02
Division 3	Oxford Utd	1-2	Darlington	20-04-02
Division 3	Darlington	1-0	Oxford Utd	10-11-01
1966/67
Division 3 Old	Oxford Utd	3-2	Darlington	15-04-67
Division 3 Old	Darlington	1-2	Oxford Utd	19-11-66
1964/65
Division 4	Oxford Utd	1-0	Darlington	24-04-65
Division 4	Darlington	2-0	Oxford Utd	26-10-64

Oxford United's last five games