Will Oxford United be playing successive Saturday home games?

The truth is, we don’t know yet.

Their scheduled league fixture on February 21 is York City away, but the Minstermen may have an FA Trophy tie that day, and the Trophy takes precedence.

Martin Foyle’s men won an epic penalty shoot-out 13-12 against Kidderminster Harriers on Wednesday night in their Trophy third-round replay after the game finished 1-1 following extra time.

However, York’s next opponents, Havant & Waterlooville or Crawley, have yet to play their third-round tie.

That was postponed again this week and will now be played on Monday.

After United talking to York, Mansfield and the Conference to try to find a practical solution, it now means that if there is a positive result for either team in the Havant v Crawley tie on Monday, then the winners will play York on Saturday February 21.

So, on that day Oxford will host Mansfield Town in the league.

However, if the Havant versus Crawley tie is postponed or ends in a draw, then that would have to be played or replayed on February 21.

And the league fixture at KitKat Crescent between York and Oxford would continue, with the U’s v Mansfield league game reverting to Tuesday, February 24, as first mooted.

Clear as mud, isn’t it?

That FA Trophy shoot-out was a bit special. The first 25 penalties were converted before Kidderminster’s ex-Oxford striker Justin Richards saw his second attempt saved.

Foyle didn’t see a single one! He always turns away.

The fixture congestion, caused by a winter that just seems to go on and on, is made worse by the Setanta Shield – a competition which few people want – and by FA Trophy ties taking precedence over league games.

For next season, how about the Setanta Shield being scrapped, and the Trophy, while still remaining prominent, having to fit around the league?