Unibet's National League South Promotion Final Preview

It’s always a long week for all involved in the build up to any Promotion Final, but this day has felt like forever in arriving for both these two teams.

What’s another seven days when Oxford City and St Albans have been waiting for this moment for quite some time?

The Saints have never been this close since their relegation from the Conference in April 2007 was confirmed.

As big an absence as that is, Hoops fans will have little sympathy.

They’ve never been in the top flight of Non-League football and are determined to make up for some lost time.

They are determined to make sure the season of their highest ever finish isn’t a missed opportunity.

Oxford have dazzled this season and their supporters have been treated to some wonderful goals in a record breaking season.

A third place finish took the club to new historical heights - but St Albans have something special, and a striker who simply deals in goals.

Shaun Jeffers has 55 National League South of them in the past two seasons combined and now he wants silverware to go with it.

After navigating treacherous trips to Chelmsford City and Dartford, those from the leafy town are certainly taking the scenic route.

David Noble was appointed in November after picking up five wins as interim boss and the one they call Nobby has taken to management like a duck to water.

A painfully slow start to the season saw a change made with the six-year reign of Ian Allinson coming to an end. Now they want to complete the turn around.

They face a team who love playing at home with just one loss in 2023 in front of their supporters.

But Ross Jenkins’ team have won both matches this season, a 1-0 success in Hertfordshire in August was doubled up on home turf.

Will it be third time lucky for the Saints or will Oxford enter uncharted waters?

The form….
Oxford City: W-W-D-L-W
St Albans City: W-W-L-W-W

The players to watch:
Oxford City: Zac McEachran
St Albans City: Shaun Jeffers

The odds…
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