Away hoodoo strikes again (From Banbury Cake)
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Away hoodoo strikes again
9:30am Tuesday 19th June 2012 in Oxford Utd
By Mark Edwards, Sports Editor. Call me on 01865 425451
James Constable is denied by Bristol Rovers goalkeeper Michael Poke during last season’s goalless draw at the Memorial Stadium. The U’s open their new campaign there on August 16
Chris Wilder described Oxford United’s opening matches for the 2012/13 as “cracking, but tough”, after the npower League Two fixtures were unveiled yesterday.
However, the U’s manager admitted he was disappointed that for the third season in a row – which co-incides with their promotion back into the Football League – United’s first, last and Boxing Day matches are all away from home.
Wilder takes his side to play Bristol Rovers on Saturday, August 18 four days after their season starts with a home Capital One Cup match against AFC Bournemouth.
The match has added spice with Rovers interested in signing United’s leading scorer James Constable.
The Pirates have so far had two bids rejected for the striker, but are likely to come back with an improved offer this summer.
United’s first home league match is against Southend on Tuesday, August 21, with Wilder’s men also at home to Plymouth four days later, but they end with an unglamorous trip to Accrington Stanley on Saturday, April 27.
September looks a particularly tough month, with four of United’s six games away from home, at York, Burton, Cheltenham and title favourites Rother-ham.
But it is the Boxing Day trip to Exeter that will be particularly frustrating for United.
That game is traditionally the best-watched of the season, and another away match means missing out on a bumper gate and a big pay-day.
Wilder said that he thought things might be different this time around.
“It’s a cracking start to the season,” he said, “but a tough one too.
“The bigger games look after themselves, but it is a disappointment – especially for the supporters – that we are away on those three big days.”
He added: “I suppose that the one good thing from the supporters’ point of view is that Bristol is close. I would think we might sell out for that one being the opening day of the season and local.”
The U’s are at least at home to local rivals Cheltenham on New Year’s Day.
Their first match with Wycombe, which is also away, is on Saturday, October 27.
Fixture chart in today's Oxford Mail
Comments are closed on this article.

Comments (17)
12:26pm Tue 19 Jun 12
LeGod says...
Three quality signings for us yesterday and more to come and for all the idiotic Yellow fans who keep stating we are spending too much if you read the news we have set a budget which wont be broken which is why we didnt sign Lee Hughes.
So read the proper articles before you keep slating our club.
We have very successful business people in charge running our club and they wont break the bank. Players want to play for Paolo and when you have the likes of Roberts preferring to come and play for us as opposed to championship teams because of Paolo that says alot and i can see any player saying the same about Wilder.
Rovers away first game i see a loss for you.
12:38pm Tue 19 Jun 12
magicrugmaker says...
1:42pm Tue 19 Jun 12
wayoutwest says...
2:53pm Tue 19 Jun 12
davecuddoufc says...
As far as the 'hoodoo' goes, the fixtures secretary must have it in for us. What a b*sturd Good luck CW and the lads. Pauline Da C*ntio? Irrelevant. Le Gourd (P*nis sheath)? - also irrelevant.
8:59am Wed 20 Jun 12
LeGod says...
We are Paolo's Red & White army -
as all our new signings are saying they are signing for us because of the clubs and the managers ambition whereas Oxford's ambition is contentment in the basement of the football league and a very mediocre season coming up for you lot.
Love it
9:21am Wed 20 Jun 12
saddletramp says...
8:59am Wed 20 Jun 12
up the football league we go.
We are Paolo's Red & White army -
as all our new signings are saying they are signing for us because of the clubs and the managers ambition whereas Oxford's ambition is contentment in the basement of the football league and a very mediocre season coming up for you lot.
Love it
Posting at 8.59am,shouldnt you be at work and not reading about the club you are clearly obsessed with?
Ah just heard,the big issue had a printing problem this morning.
11:45am Wed 20 Jun 12
wayoutwest says...
11:47am Wed 20 Jun 12
yellowhoods says...
12:46pm Wed 20 Jun 12
LeGod says...
3:17pm Wed 20 Jun 12
LeGod says...
3:51pm Wed 20 Jun 12
OUFC 4 EVA says...
3:54pm Wed 20 Jun 12
yellowhoods says...
3:03pm Fri 22 Jun 12
john bowen says...
7:50pm Sat 23 Jun 12
the wizard says...
You will have to play these clubs at some point, so get on and build a team, or have you no money, no will, no desire and no passion.
Your negativity is there for all to see. I think your club, your directors, your management and to a point your players, have hit the buffers, gone as far as they can. New Top Man needed, along with management clear out, Wilder the Slider as well. Start again, only this time with belief and a desire to do better. OU on the rocks right now.
8:36pm Sun 24 Jun 12
yellowhoods says...
11:04pm Mon 2 Jul 12
Malkym says...
11:08pm Mon 2 Jul 12
Malkym says...