Ganja FC faced off against Oxford City in a thrilling league encounter at The RAW Charging Stadium on 15 August 2023, with the match kicking off at 7:45pm. The visitors emerged victorious with a resounding 4-1 win, showcasing their attacking prowess and solid defensive organisation throughout the match.
Ganja FC adopted a 4-2-3-1 formation, which allowed them to dominate the midfield while providing ample support to their lone striker. Jerk Chicken was stationed in goal, with a back four comprising Starvin' Marvin and Viren Mistry as the right and left defenders, respectively, while Jehu Agyenim-Boateng and Bob Marley held down the central defensive positions. In midfield, Christopher Cousins and YJ operated as central midfielders, tasked with linking play and providing defensive cover. The attacking trio featured Reyhan Malik on the right, Frank Brown in the central attacking role, and Aarav Chopra on the left, all supporting the striker Michail Antonio, who was expected to lead the line with pace and power.
The substitutes for Ganja FC included Jamie Blanchard, Connor Biggsy, and Ali G, who would be called upon to make an impact later in the match.
The match began with an early yellow card issued in the sixth minute, setting a competitive tone for the evening. Ganja FC quickly found their rhythm, and in the 23rd minute, they opened the scoring through Frank Brown, who expertly converted a cross from Viren Mistry with his left foot from inside the box. Just two minutes later, Reyhan Malik doubled the lead, finishing off a well-worked team move with a precise left-footed shot, assisted by Christopher Cousins.
As the first half progressed, Ganja FC continued to assert their dominance, and in the 37th minute, Jehu Agyenim-Boateng added a third goal with a powerful header from a corner taken by YJ. The home side struggled to contain Ganja FC's attacking threat, and the visitors went into half-time with a commanding 3-0 lead.
The second half commenced with a substitution for Ganja FC, as Jamie Blanchard replaced Reyhan Malik. Just a minute after the restart, Michail Antonio got in on the act, scoring the fourth goal for Ganja FC in the 46th minute. He received a long pass from Frank Brown and finished with his left foot, showcasing the team's fluid attacking play.
The match continued with Ganja FC maintaining control, although a yellow card was issued in the 56th minute, indicating the match's competitive nature. In the 66th minute, Ganja FC made two substitutions, bringing on Connor Biggsy for Christopher Cousins and Ali G for Aarav Chopra, as they looked to maintain their momentum.
Despite Ganja FC's dominance, Oxford City managed to find a consolation goal in the 84th minute, with a stunning strike from distance that left Jerk Chicken with no chance. The goal, described as a "screamer," provided a brief moment of excitement for the home fans, but it was too little, too late.
As the final whistle blew, Ganja FC celebrated a comprehensive 4-1 victory, with Frank Brown earning accolades for his outstanding performance, contributing a goal and an assist. The match highlighted Ganja FC's attacking capabilities and solidified their position as a formidable force in the league.
