Old acquaintances – and a bitter rivalry – will be renewed when Oxford Uni-ted take on Stevenage on Boxing Day.

Assuming the match is on, and the Hertfordshire club have been working hard to try and beat the freeze, it will be like a throwback to the clubs’ Conference days when they fought tooth and nail for promotion points.

Stevenage came up last season as Blue Square Premier champions, but in many ways Oxford experienced a more rewarding elevation, securing promotion by winning the play-offs at Wembley.

Both clubs have settled into the Football League now. Stevenage lie 11th, with Oxford 16th.

League Two is a division in which, it seems, anyone on their day can beat anyone else, and just nine points separate Torquay, in the play-off positions, from second-bottom Barnet.

United are looking for a third successive win, and are hoping that their enforced lay-off, caused by postponements, has not affected the momentum they had built up.

Defender Damian Batt will be particularly eager to do well against one of his former clubs.

The U’s right back was at Broadhall Way in the 2007-8 season, making nine appearances.

Last season, Oxford beat Steve-nage at home, but lost 1-0 away in March, a result which ended their automatic promotion hopes.

Meanwhile, United have taken steps to try to ensure the home game against Macclesfield on December 28 goes ahead.

The car park is being worked on, and the pitch is soft under the covers and snow.

They may need some volunteers to help remove the snow on the morning of the game, but will know that nearer the time.

United chairman Kelvin Thomas said: “We are confident the game will go ahead.

“There are some really cold temperatures forecast for the next few days over Christmas, but the covers and the snow should protect the pitch, and hopefully we should be able to get that snow off on the 27th ready for the game.

“We will see what happens over the next few days, as we liaise with the University staff.

“All our plans are based on forecasts which are constantly changing, so we will keep watching those and deal with what comes our way.”

l THE U’s home match against Shrewsbury, which was postponed last Saturday, has been rearranged for Tuesday, January 25 (7.45).

Tickets for the original date are still valid. Anyone who cannot attend can swap their ticket for another game or get a refund as long as they return it to the ticket office by midday of the game.