Jack Shoemark's York Preview

Here is the situation; I am an exiled Oxford United fan in the North of England. This is for the large part not too much of a problem due to the number of northern teams that we have faced over the past few seasons – Rotherham, Chesterfield and Barrow (shudder) to name some. However, for two match days a season, it becomes a big problem. Why? I live in York and a fair number of my friends have season tickets for York City. The first fixtures the majority of us look for are the games in York and at the Kassam.  In all honesty, I can often be found getting my football fix at Bootham Crescent or joining the ‘YCFC FunBus’ on away day adventures and very much enjoying it – not Alfreton though (long story) . But the build up to these two matches is always full of shocking banter (teetering on the edge of abuse) and generally the friendship I share goes out of the window for the 90 minutes or longer depending on the result. 

As like last season’s fixture, I spoke to a couple of my friends to get their views ahead of Saturday’s match. Ian Jones and Joe Pinder provided their thoughts… 

Jack: It's almost 10 months since the "thoroughly entertaining" 0-0 draw in Oxford. 
What has changed at York City since then? 

Ian: The new manager bringing in many new faces and a more 'traditional' style of football instead of Mills' 4-3-3 tika taka which on some days saw us play sensational and others was a never-ending nightmare. Things behind the scenes have changed as we become more 'professional' with changes to the training ground and the introduction of a Prozone statistician. 

Joe: Players, management, staff and most importantly short sponsors. Highly unlikely more than 2 players that started that game will be in our line-up will start on Saturday. 

Jack: Has Nigel Worthington been an improvement on Gary Mills? (League position would suggest not) 

Ian: Although league position currently isn't great I honestly believe that Worthington is the right man. We would have gone down under Mills and Worthington can attract (and get) a much higher calibre of player. 

Joe: Yes, at the time of the last Oxford fixture you really couldn't see where the next win would be coming from. I personally think riding the positivity of promotion enabled us to have a good start last season and that masked a lot of problems. Worthington read the situation wrong in the summer and brought in a lot of big, strong, physical players - he quickly realised his error however and has added technical ability to the squad. 

Jack: What's the aim for the rest of the season? 

Ian: No doubt there will be upheaval in January with Worthington bringing in more of his own players. I believe will we certainly pull away from the bottom and finish slightly higher than last year - 12th to 14th. 

Joe: As close to mid table as is possible, but survival is the aim for any bottom half club really isn't it. 

Jack: Who is the best team you've seen so far this season? 

Ian: I hate to say it but it's Fleetwood. Great squad of players. Amazing what money can get you... 

Joe: Nobody has blown me away, Fleetwood were very organised, but there isn't a standout team I've seen yet. One of about five or six teams could easily win the title and I expect a few surprises in the play-off spots come the end of the season. 

Jack: Who are the key players for York? 

Ian: Josh Carson could and should be playing at a higher level and we will be lucky to have him further than the end of this season. Very quick and good with both feet, unlike certain ex-York wingers who I won't mention.... 

Joe: Luke O'Neill - on loan from Burnley, can time a tackle as good as anyone I've seen for York and fantastic going forward - leading our assist chart.  

Josh Carson - Good young player with bags of technical ability, always likely to create something from either wing and works hard defensively. Top player in an average side. 

Wes Fletcher - looked to be creating a great partnership with Ryan Bowman before Bowman’s ban, a constant nuisance up front. Still raw but could be a top player for us giving time to develop a partnership. 

Jack: If you had to take three of Oxford's current squad and put them in your starting XI - who would they be? 

Ian: I really like Danny Rose, I think he's got a lot of quality and simply because our defence is either horrifically bad or over the hill I'd take Raynes and Mullins as they'd walk into our defence. 

Joe: Jake Wright, Johnny Mullins, Danny Rose. 

Jack: Score Prediction? 

Ian: 1-1 

Joe: We owe you for 2009-10. A play-off final reversal of 3-1 York and many unhappy Yellows including a certain Jack Shoemark hopefully! 

I’d like to thank Ian and Joe for taking the time to answer these questions and hope they enjoy the game on Saturday but don’t enjoy the result. 

I’m going for an exciting 2-2 draw. 

Share this

Mansfield Town 1-3 Oxford United

Oxford returned to the top of the table in spectacular fashion with a reassuring 3-1 win at Mansfield. James Constable took all the headlines with his 100^th goal for the club, coming just moments after Lee Stevenson had cancelled out Sean Rigg's opener. Ryan Williams added a third before the end and with bottom-of-the-table Northampton surprisingly beating Fleetwood, the yellows now sit proudly top of the pile once again.

Share this

An Open Letter to the BBC Trust and the Football League Show

By Andy Roberts,

I am writing in an optimistic attempt to right a baffling wrong. Four and a bit years ago, BBC One manfully took on the apparently thankless burden of broadcasting highlights of all those difficult fiddly bits of football beneath Her Majesty's Glorious Premier League.

ITV once had a go at it; with a stark honesty they named their show The Championship after the FA and Coca Cola's brave rebranding of The Best Second Tier Division In the World (tm). Their show contained extensive highlights from the Championship while giving just a cursory nod to the Football League's embarrassing undercarriage; briefly debuting the goal clips from Leagues One and Two.

In 2009, when Aunty took on the responsibility of the less glamorous divisions, encumbered as she is by a heavy public service remit, supporters of lower league clubs were buoyed by the notion that they might be afforded a less thrifty share of the airtime. This notion was reinforced by the exciting news that the BBC were giving the new programme the collective and inclusive title of The Football League Show.

This optimism was short-lived, as it became clear that 80 - 90 per cent of each programme would be given over to the Championship, with (most of) the goals from Leagues One and Two unceremoniously shoved to the back end.

So BBC Trust, we don't want you to worry too much about our usual share on the Football League Show, we got used to that pretty quickly. League Two footballers on Twitter can often be found joking about falling asleep before the goals they scored are broadcast. We also look forward to the rare appearance of the unfailing enthusiastic (or unapologetically patronising) Mark Clemmit at our grounds, as it guarantees a larger share of the Football League Show for our beloved side. It's part of the fun.

What we REALLY struggle with though, is the apparent total disregard we're shown in an international week when the Championship is not in play. We're not expecting an hour of extended highlights each... We're more aware of our standing in the world than that. But we do find it enormously difficult to understand why, just because the Championship isn't happening, the BBC thinks that the other two thirds of the Football League have suddenly become disinterested in seeing the goals from their teams' games on the Football League Show.

A simple 30 minute show, with straight-forward goal highlights from most games and a little snippet from Clem or somebody similar (or entirely different)... There must be room for that?

Thank you for listening.

Andy
A retired football commentator, aged 33 and a half.

http://oxpodunited.podomatic.com/ 

Follow @jonnybiscuits Follow @bigbananaboys

Share this

PREVIEW: Gateshead Home, FA Cup (09/11/13)

Oxford take another (probably brief) departure from league action this weekend, as we start our FA Cup campaign this weekend, at home to Conference side Gateshead. A home tie against lower league opposition is usually regarded as something of a dream tie in the first round, offering a good chance of progression towards the potentially lucrative third round when the big boys come to play. But given our well-documented home struggles this season, one can't help but feel that this one has 'upset' written all over it.

Last weekend's goalless draw with Luton made it six games unbeaten for the Heed, a run which includes their 1-0 win over Chester in the fourth qualifying round. That run has also included six clean sheets, so with Oxford only managing seven goals in eight home games so far, this could be a frustrating afternoon for home supporters. The visitors, currently 11^th in the Conference, are perhaps understandably in confident mood coming into the match, but they will be without former York striker Richard Brodie, Marcus Maddison and former yellow Luke O'Brien.

We, of course, will be without Alfie Potter, who is absent for eight weeks with ankle ligament damage following an appalling challenge that went more or less unpunished in last week's game against Bristol Rovers. Fortunately, Fulham have allowed Ryan Williams to play this week so we do at least have cover in this area for him. Elsewhere, Tom Newey is back at left-back after serving his suspension last week, which means that once again Chris Wilder is left with a dilemma at centre-back with Jake Wright, Johnny Mullins and Michael Raynes all competing for a starting berth.

Of course, all of the above is assuming that we choose to name a full-strength side this weekend. With tickets reduced to just £10 for the game in order to tempt fans who might otherwise have decided to give the game a miss, it could be a sign that Oxford are not particularly interested in the FA Cup this year. The cups have slipped down the list of priorities this season, it seems, crashing out at the first attempt in both the League Cup and the JPT. A weakened side crashed out 4-0 away to Charlton in the first round of the former, while in the latter a youthful side were beaten 2-1 by Portsmouth despite dominating most of the match.

This will be only the third time the two clubs have met in competitive action, the last time coming in our final season in the Conference. In the first of our two previous encounters, a Matt Green goal gave us a 1-0 victory at the Gateshead International Stadium. In the second...

From the Vaults

Oxford United v Gateshead, 27^th March 2010

United were on a miserable run of five games without a win and the promotion chase appeared to be faltering as Stevenage began to pull away at the top of the table. And with a crucial trip to Hertfordshire awaiting days later it was essential that we got back to winning ways at home to Gateshead. And after a nervy first half James Constable finally struck to send us on our way in the second, with substitute Matt Green scoring the winner in injury time after Gateshead had been allowed a controversial equaliser.

You can find this and many other old OUFC matches in the VIDEO VAULT!

Also This Weekend

The youth team are back in action this week after their match last week against Hereford was surprisingly cancelled by the visitors at late notice. This time it's Bristol Rovers' turn to come to Roman Way, just a week after their grown-up counterparts came away from the Kassam Stadium with their first away win of the season.

The women's development squad are also back after a lengthy lay-off, still seeking their first win of the season. They host Birmingham City on Sunday in the League Cup, having been narrowly beaten 2-1 in their previous cup game by Yeovil Town.

Don't forget you can find full fixture lists for women's, development and youth teams on our Fixtures page!

Share this

PREVIEW: Bristol Rovers Home (02/11/13)

Table-topping Oxford look to build a lead at the top of League Two as struggling Bristol Rovers come to the Kassam. Rovers haven't won away from home all season and currently find themselves just two places and one point above the relegation zone, having endured a miserable season so far. And while our home form isn't exactly sparkling, we have to look at this game as a great opportunity to build on last week's win at AFC Wimbledon.

Bristol Rovers are currently winless in nine league games, a run which stretches back to August, though they did earn a point against Chesterfield last week. Injuries have plagued the Gas this season, a problem manager John Ward has looked to address this week by signing striker Chris Beardsley from Preston. He looks set to go straight into the Pirates' starting XI this weekend but who will partner him up front seems to be up for grabs. Matt Harrold's chances of playing are rated as '50/50' while David Clarkson is suspended after being red-carded a couple of weeks ago.

In contrast, Oxford will be boosted by the returns of several important players. Deane Smalley came off the bench to play a big part last week and could start as a result, while Dave Kitson is back from suspension following his sending off against Exeter. Could James Constable be dropped to the bench, despite finding the net last weekend? Alfie Potter is also back from injury this week after being ruled out by a hamstring problem in recent weeks, providing a feast of attacking options after last week's famine. Chris Wilder does have one problem position, however, after Tom Newey picked up his fifth yellow card of the season last Saturday. And with Jon Meades still injured it leaves us looking very light at left-back. But with Johnny Mullins returning at centre-back and both Jake Wright and Michael Raynes looking undroppable might we see a return to three at the back in a 3-5-2 or 3-4-3 formation? Time will tell.

Underestimate Bristol Rovers at your peril. The Pirates started last season in similarly disastrous fashion but finished the season strongly as the league's form side – and they demonstrated how difficult they can be on their last visit to the Kassam Stadium. Then, the tables were reversed as an in-form Bristol Rovers arrived to face a hopelessly out-of-form United and duly took the three points with a comfortable 2-0 victory. There are few predicting a repeat of that this time around but League Two has been so ridiculously topsy-turvy this season that anything could happen.

From the Vaults

Oxford United v Bristol Rovers, 10^th August 2010

Oxford returned to action in the League Cup after a four-year absence with a bang, putting six past League One Bristol Rovers in our first home game of the season. Simon Heslop and James Constable each netted twice, while Matt Green and Jack Midson were also on target. Enjoy!

You can find this and many other old OUFC matches in the VIDEO VAULT!

Also This Weekend

It's not just the first team currently topping their league. The youth team are at it too and they're back in league action this weekend at home to Hereford United after Wednesday's comfortable 3-0 win over Didcot in the FA Youth Cup. They've already been beaten once by the Bulls this season, 4-2 in the League Cup, so will be eager for the chance of revenge this time out. The match kicks off at 11 at Roman Way so there's plenty of time to get down to the Kassam once it's over if you fancy a full day of football.

Don't forget you can find full fixture lists for women's, development and youth teams on our Fixtures page!

Share this

Oxford United: Dream Killers

Picture from @OUFClive

United began their FA Youth Cup campaign in a winning fashion with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Didcot Town. Although it might be expected that Oxford would brush aside lower level competition it was a relief to see them come through it unscathed, because this was a match which had 'banana-skin' written all over it. Against local opposition and away from home, there was every possibility that United could come unstuck.

Add to that the fact that youth competition has been a welcome distraction from what has been a miserable season so far for Didcot and the magnitude of this game for the hosts becomes clear. It seems money is tight at Loop Meadow this season and Didcot have struggled to compete in the Southern League Division One South and West, winning just twice in the league all season. Part of the reason they have found things so hard is that they have been forced to rely on a number of young players and their lack of experience has shown through in the side's inconsistent form.

It has, however, provided a fantastic opportunity to some of the young lads currently in their youth team and being thrust into first-team activity seems to have accelerated their progression as footballers. Their youth team are currently unbeaten in the league this season and their progress in the FA Youth Cup to reach this stage has been impressive, with victories over Binfield, Kidlington and Bournemouth FC in the qualifying rounds. Of the Didcot starting XI this evening, three – Oli Thomas, Taylor Janes and Keiran Beesley – have been regulars for the Railwaymen this season, alongside their youth team duties. Compared to our youngsters, these are seasoned pros.

And Didcot's youth team exploits seem to have provided a much-needed tonic to the inevitable apathy that settles in whenever a team is doing badly. On Saturday there were only 84 people present for Didcot's match against Fleet Town; this evening there were 291. Much of that number came hoping to see the hosts pull off an upset and it was clear that the Didcot players were fired up and ready to do just that.

Fortunately, the yellows didn't allow them the chance and it didn't take long for them to demonstrate their superior quality. In the early exchanges the ball barely left the home side's half but Oxford were constantly left frustrated by Didcot keeper Keiran Beesley. Beesley – who was previously in the Oxford youth setup before being released – has won plaudits for his performances for the Railwaymen's senior side and it was easy to see why on this evidence. He did well to keep out an early effort from the lively James Roberts after the striker had broken through the ranks to create a one-on-one situation.

Next he thwarted Gregg Hackett's long-range effort before twice denying Jamie Calvin – first from a point-blank header which had seemed destined for the net and then from a shot on the edge of the area. It was clear that it would take something special to beat Beesley and that's exactly what Josh Ashby delivered 25 minutes in, his perfectly weighted long-distance effort catching Beesley off his line before dropping into the empty net.

It was slightly busier than this during the match - honest!

In truth, Oxford should have been further ahead at half-time but with only one goal in it, the hosts remained in contention at the start of the second half and the game was finely poised. One thing you can certainly say for them is that they showed great determination to have a go at United, having been outplayed in the first 45 minutes. They came out for the second-half looking to force a way back into the game and were able to apply some decent pressure, though without creating any clear-cut chances.

Instead Oxford were able to extend their advantage to give themselves one foot in the next round as Didcot were caught on the break. Sam Humphreys raced into the box only to take a tumble over a clumsily outstretched leg. Ashby slotted home the penalty to all but end Diddy's challenge. There was a tiredness about the home side's defending for the third goal, as they were caught ball-watching at a corner and punished by Cian McCormack who was quickest to react to the ball across, heading home powerfully.

The game opened out after this as Didcot threw caution to the wind in search a consolation and as a result both sides had chances, though neither were able to make them count. Goalkeeper Barney Martin had to be on his toes to keep out Matty Woodley's spectacular effort while Roberts remained frustrated in front of goal as Beesley kept out his shot after some lovely work on the right by Humphreys.

In truth, United weren't the irresistible force they were against Swindon a few weeks ago, but then they appeared to be up against much stronger opposition, despite their lower league status. But they kept calm against a side who were clearly up for it this evening and avoided an upset in a professional manner. That's an example our first team would do well to follow in their FA Cup first round tie in a couple of weeks against Gateshead.

Share this

AFC Wimbledon 0-2 Oxford United

Oxford returned to the top of the league with a fine 2-0 win over AFC Wimbledon. James Constable put the yellows ahead after just six minutes when he met Asa Hall's ball into the box to score his 99^th goal for the club. United were denied two stonewall penalties with the game still hanging in the balance, but when Deane Smalley was upended in the 81^st minute Oxford were finally given the decision they had been craving. Smalley finished to seal the points and with other results going our way Oxford sit proudly atop the League Two table.

Share this

PREVIEW: AFC Wimbledon Away (26/10/13)

Oxford are on the road again this weekend and Kingsmeadow is the destination. After two successive 0-0 draws against Accrington and Exeter if we want to keep in touch with the top three a result is a must this weekend. Key to that, of course, will be our ability to score goals. For most of the season it's not been scoring goals that has been our problem but keeping them out. Prior to the last week we were top scorers in the division but had kept just two clean sheets all season. But in the last two games we've seen an unusual reversal of that record as we've been able to keep them out at one end but been unable to find the net at the other.

And that's a problem that has been exacerbated by the absence of Alfie Potter and Deane Smalley, both of whom are likely to miss out once again. Added to that the suspension of Dave Kitson following his sending off on Tuesday and our options up front are looking decidedly limited. It leaves us with James Constable and Tyrone Marsh as our only fit an available strikers while our only designated right winger, Ryan Williams, is unable to play a full 90 minutes.

Picture by Jon Whiles Photography

At the back, even despite the continued absence of Johnny Mullins, we've been in impressive form. Michael Raynes has seized his opportunity to come into the backline and we've looked far more solid as a result. And with Wimbledon struggling for goals lately, expect that to continue this weekend.

Wimbledon are having a rough run of form lately. Having started the season incredibly strongly, their form has since tailed off drastically and they're now without a win in their last five games. Even so, they're predicting on their official website that this match could see a record crowd at Kingsmeadow, with our allocation already sold out. And with the potential return of Andy Frampton and Charlie Sheringham to the Dons team after lengthy absences due to injury, the Wimbledon side we come up against this weekend could be a different proposition to the one which has struggled in recent weeks.

But if our record against Wimbledon since their reformation is anything to go by we needn't be worried. Oxford have won all six of our previous meetings, including an impressive 3-0 win on our last visit. In fact, we put six goals past the Dons last season, having beaten them 3-2 earlier that season at the Kassam, in what was a difficult season for Wimbledon as they narrowly avoided relegation back to the Conference. But that was then, this is now, and after some surprising results throughout the league recently, this one could go either way.

Also This Weekend

The youth team welcome Cheltenham Town to Roman Way in League Cup action on Saturday just two weeks after a 2-0 away win there to go top of the league table. Unfortunately, the match is merely an academic exercise as last weekend's 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth means that we will play no further part in the competition beyond the group stages.

Don't forget you can find full fixture lists for women's, development and youth teams on our Fixtures page!

Share this

Oxford United 0-0 Exeter City

You wait eight months for a 0-0 draw and then two come along at once! Saturday's draw withAccrington was our first goalless draw since February and there was a repeat of the same scoreline just three days later as Exeter came to the Kassam. Oxford saw more of the ball but were unable to find a way through and had to settle for a draw. On the positive side, having struggled to keep the goals out earlier in the season, this result now makes it three clean sheets in a row.

Share this

PREVIEW: Exeter Home (22/10/13)

It's still very early days in the season but this week's match against Exeter has the potential to be one of those standout matches that mark a turning point in the direction of our season. With Exeter third and us currently fourth and one point behind, recent weeks have seen the top of the table become somewhat cramped as the early pacesetters have slipped and the chasing pack have caught up. But at the end of this round of fixtures, there's a very good chance that things will be less bunched as some drop points and others pull away. A win could see us go top while a defeat would put us four points behind and thus the result of this game could determine whether we remain one of the pacesetters or slip back to become one of the chasing pack.

The latter is a position which has become familiar to our opponents this week. While United have spent much of their time so far this season in the top three, Exeter have just moved into that echelon for the first time this season after a recent run of form which has seen them win three of their last four. Their 4-0 win away at Scunthorpe on Saturday was a real statement of intent but having moved into the top three on the back of such an impressive result the Grecians have now put themselves in a position to be shot at and this is what we have to try and do.

However, we'll have to do it without some important players. Johnny Mullins and Deane Smalley are both unlikely to be fit and Alfie Potter is a definite absentee. To an extent it simplifies matters as far as team selection is concerned. I would expect David Hunt will return to his usual right-back position with Jake Wright and Michael Raynes in the centre. With Potter out, Ryan Williams should come in on the right wing in a standard 4-4-2 formation. Of course, there have been a few occasions this season when Chris Wilder has chosen to shake things up and caught the opposition off guard – as against Northampton last time at the Kassam – but with the players available a 4-4-2 would seem the most likely lineup.

And while our injuries seem to be mounting up right now, Exeter appear to be heading towards a clean bill of health, with Matt Oakley the only notable absentee. He is replaced in the midfield by the returning Matt Gill who came off the bench to feature on Saturday after signing from Bristol Rovers last week.

Exeter have won their last three games on the road and naturally come into the game full of confidence. Our home form is less than impressive and Exeter are typically a side that we struggle against at the Kassam, with last season's disappointing 4-2 defeat a case in point. But, as has already been much discussed, if this season is to be different we need to overcome that and pick up more results at home and there have been some positive signs that we are moving in the right direction in this area. A win against Exeter would certainly back that up in style and put us in a very handy position.

From the Vaults

Oxford United v Exeter City, 4^th September 2007

Having taken a look back at some of Oxford's greatest comebacks last week we unfortunately now remember an occasion when United were caught on the wrong side of similar heroics. With the pain of our recent play-off defeat at the hands of Exeter still raw, we appeared to be well on our way to exorcising those demons when the Grecians returned to the Kassam the following season. Two penalties from Rob Duffy had given us a comfortable lead but in typical fashion we collapsed in the second half, conceding the equaliser in injury time to draw 2-2.

You can find this and many other old OUFC matches in the VIDEO VAULT!

Share this

Accrington Stanley 0-0 Oxford United

Oxford were frustratingly held to a goalless draw against League Two's bottom side Accrington Stanley. United were poor in the first half but created a host of chances without finding the net in the second. As a result, United drop out of the top three but due to results elsewhere are now just a point off top spot.

PREVIEW: Accrington Away (19/10/13)

This weekend the league's best away side travel to the league's worst home side. While Oxford have dropped just two points on the road so far this season, Accrington are still waiting for their first win at the Crown Ground. We've all been here before, the script is written etc etc.

It's been a tough season for Stanley, currently five points adrift at the bottom of the league with just three points garnered from their first 11 games. However, there are signs that they are improving and they were only denied their first win of the season away at AFC Wimbledon last weekend by a late equaliser. Unfortunately for them, their goalscorer Kayode Odejayi was also sent off controversially in that game and will be banned for our visit. Manager James Beattie has said he may look to shake up his side in an attempt to reverse Accrington's fortunes, so who knows what to expect from the hosts this weekend.

Perhaps he's taking a leaf out of Chris Wilder's book after he experimented with the formation last week to reverse our recent slump in home form. But after impressing against Northampton last week it raises a question of whether to stick with that successful system or return to the plan which has so far served us so well on the road. There appear to be no fresh injury concerns to report, though Alfie Potter's hamstring problem picked up in the JPT against Portsmouth appears to be more complicated than first expected and he won't travel as a result.

Our record against Accrington is impressive. In eight previous encounters we've never been beaten and have won four of the last five (the sole draw in that run coming in the FA Cup as Michael Raynes scored in the last minute to snatch a replay at the death). If all goes according to form, all signs point towards an Oxford win. But then, it wouldn't be Oxford if it was easy...

Also This Weekend

Chris Allen's table-topping youth team travel to Bournemouth in the League Cup this weekend, fresh from an impressive 2-0 win at a strong Cheltenham side last time out. Can they make it five consecutive victories?

The women's development squad play their first home game of the season this weekend as they host Millwall Lionesses. They followed up their heavy defeat to Arsenal on the opening day with a narrow 2-1 loss to Yeovil in the cup last week and face a Millwall side who beat the Glovers 7-0 in their first game of the season. Let's hope they can pull one out of the bag this time around.

Don't forget you can find full fixture lists for women's, development and youth teams on our Fixtures page!

Share this

5 of the Best Oxford Comebacks

In the world of football what's better than winning? Winning against the odds, of course. There is little sweeter than snatching something from a game when all appeared lost, particularly if it happens to come right at the end of the match. So we thought we'd trawl our Youtube archives to bring you some of the finest comebacks engineered by various Oxford United sides through the years. Enjoy!

5-2 v Leeds United, 24^th November 1984

The mighty yellows had started the season well and already had their eye on the Division Two title when fifth-placed Leeds came to the Manor for the first ever league encounter between the two clubs. Leeds, for their part, were looking for revenge after being dumped out of the League Cup by Oxford the previous season and raced to a two-goal lead. Gary Briggs pulled a goal back before half-time to reignite hopes of a result but few could have predicted what would follow after the break. Billy Hamilton equalised almost immediately after the restart before John Aldridge stole the show with an incredible hat-trick.

5-5 v Portsmouth, 3^rd November 1995

As this match entered the final 20 minutes it appeared that Oxford would be on the end of a thrashing, having been completely dominated by Portsmouth for the majority of the game. In fact, they could have scored more than the five they did manage if not for an impressive display of goalkeeping from Paul Reece but they were nevertheless 3-0 up with half an hour played and it looked like things might get embarrassing. Dave Penney pulled one back but hopes of a comeback were shortlived as we shipped another at the other end, though Jim Magilton volleyed home to reduce the deficit to two goals once again. United looked to be dead and buried when Pompey made it 5-2 and when John Durnin netted a third Oxford goal in the 73^rd it looked little more than a consolation. Magilton converted a penalty in injury time to bring it back to 5-4 and immediately from the restart Chrissy Allen seized on a rebound to cap a remarkable comeback as the yellows snatched a point.

2-1 v York City, 8^th August 2009

The summer of 2009 was filled with promise as Chris Wilder rebuilt the side ready for a promotion challenge. Hopes were high going into the opening day clash with York but as the match entered the final minutes things had fallen a little flat. York deservedly led 1-0 after Richard Brodie broke free and were looking assured as United struggled to get into sort of rhythm during the game. Then, on 88 minutes, Matt Green was put through by Luke Foster and flicked over the goalkeeper to equalise. But the drama wasn't over there and with the game now into injury time Mark Creighton came up for a corner to fire in after chaos in the penalty area.

2-1 v Crawley Town, 1^st December 2009

The 2009-10 season had drama aplenty but few matches could have topped this one. United were 1-0 down and struggling at the Broadfield Stadium after falling behind on 15 minutes. In desperation Chris Wilder chucked on James Constable, Alfie Potter and Onome Sodje late in the game in an attempt to reverse his side's fortunes but still it looked like we would be going home empty-handed. Then, with seven minutes left to play, Adam Chapman levelled the scores and Oxford were looking ascendant. When James Constable won a penalty deep in injury time it appeared the comeback was complete but he saw his spot-kick saved. It seemed we'd have to be content with a point, until Chapman crossed for Constable to ghost in in the 92^nd minute.

3-3 v Accrington Stanley, 1^st December 2012

Late action was the order of the day in this goal-fest last season. United seemed to have thrown it away when Jon-Paul Pittman's opener was cancelled out before the break and when James Beattie gave the hosts the lead with a wonder-goal ten minutes from time it appeared Oxford would be sent crashing out of the FA Cup. Alfie Potter played in James Constable to level just six minutes later but any plans for the replay were put on hold when Lee Molyneux curled in a free-kick in stoppage time. But up stepped Michael Raynes to save the day as he headed in in the 94^th minute to keep the yellows hanging on by the skin of their teeth in the tie, just seconds before the final whistle.

Share this

Oxford United 2-0 Northampton Town

Two goals in two minutes at the end of the first half helped Oxford to their first home win since August, with James Constable instrumental in both. First he charged through on goal to finish off a wonderful team move and then he earned a penalty, which was dispatched by Danny Rose. United looked comfortable throughout and move onto next week's trip to basement side Accrington full of confidence.

Share this

PREVIEW: Northampton Home (12/10/13)

This Saturday offers another chance to end what has been a miserable run of form at home as struggling Northampton come to town. Tuesday's JPT defeat to Portsmouth was our third consecutive defeat at the Kassam and debate over the club's home form has raged (including on this site with two articles here and here).

Typically, the Cobblers, who have started the season limply and currently find themselves second bottom in the table, picked up their first away points of the season last weekend with a 2-0 win over AFC Wimbledon. And having struggled to keep the goals out in the opening stages of the season Northampton have followed up their first clean sheet of the season a fortnight ago with another shutout last weekend, so it's not going to be easy to break them down – something we have notoriously struggled to do at home. One piece of welcome news is the doubtful fitness of Chris Hackett, a familiar face after spending the first six years of his career here.

More welcome news comes from the Oxford camp, with the surprisingly quick return to form of Jake Wright and Andy Whing's return from suspension. That should cause a nice dilemma for Chris Wilder, with Michael Raynes filling in admirably in the centre of defence while the captain was out and an encouraging performance in the middle of the park from Josh Ruffels during the week. The only long-term absentee now is Jon Meades, who is still yet to make his competitive debut and is set to miss a further three months of football after an operation during the week.

It's crucial that we don't concede the first goal this weekend as that will likely double the already difficult task of breaking down a stubborn Northampton side. Aidy Boothroyd's sides are usually set up to be difficult to play against but it's one of those games where it's important to keep the ball on the floor because we won't be able to compete with them in the air. This was the approach we took for the Cobblers' last visit last November and it worked well, but we allowed ourselves to be dragged into a battle at Sixfields in the snow and came out on the wrong side side of a 1-0 scoreline.

From the Vaults

Oxford United v Northampton Town, 2^nd December 1995

Oxford were looking for a quick recovery following a 2-1 defeat to Colchester in the Auto Windscreens during the week when Northampton came to town for an FA Cup second round tie. The Third Division side came to the Manor with high hopes of causing an upset but after Stuart Massey opened the scoring it turned out to be a straightforward victory for Denis Smith's men with Paul Moody striking late on to make it safe.

You can find this and many other old OUFC matches in the VIDEO VAULT!

Also This Weekend

The youth team look to follow up their 7-1 thrashing of Swindon a fortnight ago with a trip to the Youth Alliance South West division leaders Cheltenham Town this weekend. It's a tough fixture but after scoring 12 goals in their last two games, somehow I think they won't be too daunted.

The women's development squad are also coming into this weekend on the back of a 7-1 result – a 7-1 thrashing at the hands of Arsenal in their opening WSL Development League match last week. Ordinarily if you lose 7-1 in your first match you find yourself bottom of the table, but fortunately Watford (8-1 v Reading) and Yeovil (7-0 v Millwall) had even more calamitous results. And it's the Glovers who we take on next as the girls travel to Somerset for a Development League Cup match.

Don't forget you can find full fixture lists for women's, development and youth teams on our Fixtures page!

Share this

Why Are Oxford So Poor at Home?

By Michael Roberson,

This season, and for many previous, our home form has been our downfall. Where we’ve thrived on the road, the Kassam hasn’t been the fortress every manager wants their home ground to be. No opposition looks intimidated by the prospect of playing here, no away fans quietened by the roaring atmosphere here, no consistent form here. So, why? Why can I never enjoy the journey up to Grenoble Road, calm and assured of an excellent performance and three points? Why won’t the starting XI run the game like a home side should?

Firstly, there’s the atmosphere. Now, the introduction of the ‘Yellow Army’ to liven up match days is beginning to improve the vibe. But for a majority of the game the atmosphere often falls flat. The role of the fan to cheer his team on fails at points – granted because often there isn’t much to cheer. And this tense, unimpressed feeling from the fans will trickle down to the players who are receptive to the anxiety felt in the stands, increasing pressure on them to perform. The fans that make the long journeys away however are going to be in louder voice, cheering on the team through the lows, because they’ve made the long journey to a League Two ground. Perhaps it’s the lift the players experience only away from the Kassam that provokes a more effective style of football.

Talking of anxiety, maybe it’s the expectation of a win that can add to the pressure of the players, making them more nervous on the pitch. Three points are almost always what the fans expect from a home performance, maybe the players know this. And if they do, the expectation level rises, whereas on the road if we drop a point or three the players won’t be as disappointed because there isn’t that element of expectancy. 

Picture by @Daniel21Leggett

Another problem at home is that we’re not positive enough. Many times if we do go a goal up we tend to sit back and commit fewer men forward. Not to the same extent as in the Atkins days, but we need to kill teams off and we very rarely do. When was the last time we really dominated any side at home? If we want the opposition to be afraid of playing here, this aspect’s got to improve.

One thing’s for sure though, right now we can’t blame the pitch. The summer investment of £50,000 means United have (at least for now) a pitch of high quality. Last season, the turf played its part in leading to some very poor passing and controlling the ball, but right now that can’t be considered a problem. Let’s moan about that later in the year when London Welsh have torn it to shreds! 

And with the £50,000 we have available to invest on a pitch, it’s clear we’re a big club in this league. Like what we see at Old Trafford, maybe it’s a case of teams upping their game at a bigger club? I know we’re no Man Utd but you get what I’m saying.

Whatever it is that’s wrong at the moment though needs sorting. If we were to combine our solid away form with consistent performances and three points back in Oxford, we’d be looking like promotion favourites. At this rate though, it’s League Two for us again next season. 

Follow @MichaelOnToast

Share this

Oxford's Split Personality

The League Two season is now ten games old – a point which is widely recognised as the time to review the start we have made to the season. By this point in the season the table has begun to take some shape, promotion contenders and relegation candidates materialise and patterns have begun emerge.

At the ten-match mark we find ourselves fourth in the table, outside the automatic promotion places by two points. It's a decent position to be in and puts us in a good position to push on and challenge this season but a concerning trend has emerged, albeit a not-unexpected one. Of course, the issue on everyone's lips at the moment is the team's home form.

It's something which has been debated extensively on Yellows Forum and on the excellent Oxpod United podcast and a veritable cavalcade of explanations have been posited, from negative fans to away teams raising their game at the Kassam. It's an issue that's come to dominate all talk of the club but one I've been reluctant to wade into, mainly due to the fact that I've already written about it last season. However, at the risk of repeating myself, it would be impossible to review the season so far without reference to this unusual phenomenon.

In the simplest of terms, Oxford appear to be a completely different side away from home than we are at home. On the road, we are clinical, free-scoring and relatively solid at the back (only Fleetwood and Mansfield have conceded fewer goals than us away). At home, it's a completely different story: only struggling Hartlepool and Accrington have scored fewer goals than we have on their own ground and matches at the Kassam frequently descend into dreary morale-sapping experiences as United struggle to find any rhythm to break down the opposition.

Away

Home

The level of support or the expectations of the fans shouldn't be a factor. Look at small, moneyed clubs like Crawley - expectations are high but supporters are low and it seems to have no effect on their performances. This season has put paid to the popular myth from last season that the state of the pitch was responsible for our poor home form - London Welsh have only played once at the Kassam so far this season. Having a 'nice' stadium isn't the problem either; Rotherham had a brand-new stadium last year which was a lot better than ours and they won promotion and Chesterfield's stadium is much newer and shinier than the Kassam and they have no problems at home.

In my opinion, the reason for our inability to perform at home is not due to the atmosphere or the pressure the players are under, it's something far simpler. The team are set up to be a very good counter-attacking outfit, but when it comes to taking the initiative and breaking opposing sides down we frequently struggle.

This is borne out by the stats. According to the (admittedly not-too-reliable) possession statistics listed on the club's official website, we have enjoyed the majority of possession on just two occasions this season. Clearly that's not because we're being outplayed by our opponents, it's because the team is set up allow our opponents to see a large amount of the ball and then hit them when the openings appear. This is a tactic which will naturally lend itself better to away matches but it's not going to work so well against other teams who are looking to do similar to us at our place – Southend on Saturday being a prime example (for the record, the Shrimpers had just 38% possession in that match).

Oxford are probably the best team in League Two without the ball, but clearly we need to be better with it. Despite losing, I saw some positive signs against Portsmouth that we are still capable of imposing ourselves on sides when they come to the Kassam but we clearly lacked that cutting edge that has made us so clinical on our travels. Nevertheless it gives me some hope that we can change our style of play at home and we'll have to if we want our form to improve.

We don't need to be fantastic at home to win promotion from this league, as the current table demonstrates, just a slight improvement will be enough to get us over the line. Gillingham won the league last season despite losing six and drawing five of their home matches last season – including a 1-0 defeat to us. That said, if home crowds are to improve from their average of 6,180 we are going to have to start getting results and entertaining fans. That's not so easily solved...

Share this