Burton Albion 0-2 Oxford United

Oxford continued their excellent start to the season with an impressive victory away at previously unbeaten Burton Albion. The Brewers had Ian Sharps sent off in the first half and United made them pay in the second. Alfie Potter opened the scoring with a fantastic individual goal, weaving his way past several defenders before firing in. Danny Rose killed the game off shortly before the end, turning it in at the near post after Ryan Williams had dazzled on the wing and delivered a killer ball in.

PREVIEW: Burton Away (07/09/13)

Oxford face their toughest test so far this weekend as they travel to unbeaten Burton Albion looking to maintain their own unbeaten record in a clash between second and third in the early League Two table. The Brewers have specialised in scoring late goals in recent weeks, narrowly beating struggling Accrington 1-0 last weekend thanks to a 98th-minute winner from Adam Reed and scoring twice in the final ten minutes to salvage a 2-2 draw against Bury the previous week. Hardly the most impressive of ways to stay unbeaten, but no doubt demonstrating an admirable stubbornness and knack of grinding out results, which is probably the most important quality in a promotion-chasing side at this level.

As for ourselves, we've not exactly been convincing in recent home draws against Wycombe and Rochdale, but have similarly avoided defeat in games where we have perhaps not impressed as we might have liked. Those matches, of course were both at home, where we have struggled for quite some time. On the road we've looked unstoppable, currently boasting a 100% record from our two games so far and scoring seven times in the process. Burton are currently unbeaten at the Pirelli Stadium so far this season, so one of those records has to end this weekend.

Unlike ourselves, Burton were in action during the week in the first round of the JPT, losing 1-0 away to Notts County. Manager Gary Rowett rested several key players for the trip to Meadow Lane, with the likes of Lee Bell, Rory Delap, Chris Hussey, Adam McGurk and Rene Howe all likely to return for this fixture.

Meanwhile, the news coming out of the Oxford camp ahead of this match is that Deane Smalley – who has missed the last two matches due to a hamstring – is fit for this game. Although of course they also said the same ahead of the last two games, so who knows! Andy Whing and Alfie Potter have also been ruled fit despite having their own fitness problems, but the real news is that Alfie has finally shaved his beard!

Many Oxford fans are still haunted by our last trip to Burton, a match I'm sure most of us would rather forget. On the miserable day almost exactly a year ago, we watched our side get destroyed by four goals to nil in the middle of a six-match losing streak. In fact we've never won a Football League game at the Pirelli, though in our Conference days we were unbeaten at Burton. A return to that sort of form this weekend, please.

Travelling supporters can play their own part in making sure that happens. After the success of 'Flag Day' against Wycombe a couple of weeks ago, the Yellow Army has designated this 'Flag Away Day'. Just like then, make sure you bring any flags, banners or scarves you have to match and bring as much colour to the away end as possible. Every little helps!

From the Vaults

Burton Albion v Oxford United, 17^th April 2009

United arrived at table-topping Burton on a late play-off charge, while Burton needed just a point to secure promotion to the Football League for the first time in their history. Oxford, meanwhile, needed a win to keep the play-off dream alive...

Also This Weekend

Having received a bye in the first round of the JPT, our first tie of the competition is set to be announced this weekend. The draw is being made at 10:15am on Saturday morning live on Soccer AM and will see us pitted against one of the following: Crawley Town, Newport County, Swindon Town, Coventry City, Peterborough United, Southend United, Stevenage, Brentford, Plymouth Argyle, Dagenham & Redbridge, Wycombe Wanderers, Leyton Orient, MK Dons, Portsmouth, Bristol City.

The youth team take a break this weekend from their South West Combination campaign after their 2-1 defeat to Plymouth last weekend. They travel up to Birmingham for a friendly against Birmingham City FA on Sunday and the match is open to the public, should you find yourself up that way for some reason. Kick-off at Ray Hall Lane (B43 6JF) is at 1pm.

And if you can't make it to Burton, don't forget that Saturday is Non-League Day! Oxford City, still looking for their first win in the Conference North this season, host 14th-placed Colwyn Bay at Court Place Farm. Didcot Town, who picked up their first win of the season last weekend in the FA Cup against Wantage Town (something of a grudge match, as Didcot manager Andy Wallbridge was sacked by Wantage at the end of last season, despite finishing second in the league!), are at home to Yate Town in the Southern League Division One South and West. In the Hellenic League, both Abingdon sides are at home as Town host Ascot United (goals guaranteed!) and United welcome Bracknell Town. There are also home ties for local sides Thame United (an Oxfordshire derby v Carterton) and Kidlington (v Newbury Town) in the first qualifying round of the FA Vase.

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League Two Preview 2013-14

With the new season fast approaching most of the transfer business throughout the Football League should now be done and dusted. We all have a good idea of the comings and goings in the Oxford United squad but how do we fare when it comes to the other clubs in the league? If you are anything like me you will have seen the odd piece of transfer news but don't really know what has gone on during the summer at the other clubs in our division (old and new).

At a glance, there are two teams whose transfer activity really stands out - for very different reasons! Plymouth have brought in eleven new players, while Hartlepool have added just one. This in itself sends out a message to each of the other League Two clubs. Plymouth are obviously looking to make a serious push for promotion and reclaim their place in the third tier of English football at the third time of asking. Hartlepool, on the other hand, are either very content with the squad they already have or are financially in a tight situation. In contrast to their one signing they have let eight players go from last season either via the transfer market or due to contracts not being renewed. This leaves them needing to sign seven players just to make up the shortfall from last season's relegated League One squad. Of course, in the end it makes no difference how many players you do or don't sign, if the results don't come on the pitch during that 90 minutes it's going to be very long and and stressful season!

Out of all the signings that have been made by all the clubs there are a few that stand out as those marquee signings and a couple that will have that 'one to watch' tag attached to them.

Rory Delap
Ex-Republic Of Ireland international Delap has joined Burton on a one-year deal from Stoke after being released. He is predominantly a midfield player but can also ply his trade in defence and is famous for his long throws, having been touted to represent Ireland at the Olympics after these throw-ins were noticed during Stoke's promotion winning season. He is known for his fitness and work-rate during games and is sure to be one of those calming influences in the centre of the park. Able to break up play and and hold the ball up well he will be a valuable asset to Burton, who just failed to make the promotion grade last season.

Gary Deegan

Gary Deegan has enjoyed football at clubs such as Bohemians, Coventry and Hibernian. He is another midfield player with real quality who was a fans' favourite at Hibs. He joins Northampton Town on a one year deal after a successful trial period and will be looking to help the Cobblers recreate the successful season they had last time around after narrowly missing out on promotion to League One in the play-off final.


Richard Cresswell

Cresswell is another one of the old and bold in the league this season. He was pivotal in helping York avoid relegation towards the back end of last season, scoring twice in five appearances. A forward having played a lot of his career at Premier League and Championship teams such as Leicester, Preston, Leeds and most noticeably Stoke with Delap he will add a wealth of experience to a York side who struggled last season.



Sander Puri (One to watch)
25-year-old Sander is a relative unknown in the world of English football having played the majority of his football abroad  so far. The Estonian international who has 52 senior caps to his name started his professional career at the age of 19 at one of Estonia's biggest clubs, FC Levadia Tallinn. He was close to signing with German Bundesliga team Borussia Dortmund twice in 2008 and Scottish Premier League club Celtic in 2009. The winger subsequently went on to sign for fellow SPL club St. Mirren in March 2013 until the end of the season before signing for York City on a two year contract in June.

Predicting the outcome of the season is always a tricky one to call, but I think the likes of Northampton, Burton, and Cheltenham know what it takes to reach that play off position and with them all strengthening their squads it would surprise me if they didn't have a good season again. From the four teams that have come down from League One I'm expecting Portsmouth to have a half-decent season (as much as it pains me to say it!). I also think Scunthorpe were unlucky not to avoid the drop last year and with them adding nine new faces to the squad they already have they will have a good season.

As we all know though our league is a tough one. The teams that have came down shouldn't think they will go straight back up and that they will 'walk' the league. The two newcomers from the Conference will have a difficult time cementing the place they have earned. Newport have added some familiar faces with Football League knowledge to their team sheet and Mansfield have been there and done it and know exactly what is required by a Football League team. Both will work hard I'm sure, but sometimes it takes more than blood, sweat and tears, sometimes you need a little bit of good old lady luck!

For those interested you can find all the coming and goings within the league here. It's fairly comprehensive but it doesn't take into account youngsters who have turned pro - they will ultimately add something to the team if played.

Follow @andywilmer

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PREVIEW: Burton Albion Home (29/01/13)

Oxford have an opportunity to immediately put Saturday's crushing by Fleetwood out of our minds, as Burton Albion come to town. It's impossible to understate the importance of an immediate reaction to Saturday's defeat, because the last thing we want is for this result to trigger another terrible run like we've already seen earlier in the season.

Burton's away form should perhaps give us some cause for optimism in that respect. They've not won away from home in the league since the beginning of November and only 12 of their 45 points this season have come on the road. But they do come into the game on the back of a 1-0 win over Barnet at the weekend and currently find themselves level on points with third-placed Northampton.

Goalkeeper Stuart Tomlinson kept a clean sheet in his first game back from injury, and Burton could prove to be a tough side to break down with the commanding presence of new loan signing Ian Sharps at the back. The Brewers could look to make changes elsewhere on the field, however, particularly up front where goals have been hard to come by, finding the net just three times since the turn of the year.

The real headline coming into the match, though, is the return of James Constable after his recent suspension. He looks set to partner Tom Craddock up front, with loanee Justin Richards obviously unavailable against his parent club. But after a defensive horrorshow at Fleetwood perhaps the real focus should be at the back, with stand-in goalkeeper Wayne Brown coming in for some particular criticism after his recent showings. One other key factor could be the fitness of Lewis Montrose, who was particularly impressive against Bradford, but was out with a tight hamstring at the weekend.

Having maintained a fairly impressive record against Burton during our time in the Conference, since returning to the Football League the Brewers have proven to be tough opposition. Our solitary Football League victory over them was a 3-0 home victory in 2010-11, but since then there can be no doubting which side has had the better fortune. Barnet came back from 2-0 down to secure a 2-2 draw on their last visit to the Kassam and dished out a 4-0 thumping at the Pirelli earlier this season.

Also This Week

Oxford's reserves play their first fixture since pulling out of the Football Combination at the end of last season, facing Hellenic League Chinnor in the quarter-finals of the Oxfordshire Senior Cup. The match kicks off at 19:30 on Wednesday at Thame United's ASM Stadium, and we might expect to see a fairly strong side being fielded, probably with a mix of senior fringe players (including youngsters Tyrone Marsh and Max Crocombe) as well as some youth players.

The Under-17 apprentice side also has a scheduled home game that evening in the Conference Youth Alliance, against Dartford Whites. However, the game may be in doubt after their planned League Cup game at home to Chelmsford City was postponed on Monday. Should the game go ahead, the fifth-placed apprentices will be looking for revenge over the league leaders, after they succumbed to a 3-0 defeat in the reverse fixture back in October.

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PREVIEW: Burton Albion Away (15/09/12)

Oxford hope to get back to winning ways away at Burton, having had a full week to recover from last weekend's disappointing result.This week marks the first time this season that we haven't had to play a midweek match and unfortunately last week was the wrong time to play Exeter with such a tired, depleted side that must have been exhausted after a tough run of games in quick succession.

What the Stats Say...Burton

We make the trip to Burton Albion this week on a Sunday, due to the home side sharing stewards with Derby, who were at home to Stoke in the FA Cup on Saturday. With our league rivals all playing on Saturday we know that a win will move us back into seventh place, above Accrington who beat Gillingham 4-3 to move one point ahead of us. Matt Peck (whose first match piece can be found here) has been digging through the stats to bring you this look ahead to the match.

League Two's Surprise Packages

In every league, in every season, there's at least one club who exceeds everyone's expectations by doing remarkably well. They may win promotion, qualify for the playoffs, or even just beat the drop against the odds. For example, who would have predicted that Accrington, Stevenage and Torquay would have qualified for the playoffs last season? When I wrote my League Two season preview a few weeks ago, I wrote about who I expected to be challenging, but tried to keep half an eye on potential surprises this season. In this article, I'll try and expand on that by examining the sides who look set to cause a few surprises this season.

What the Stats Say...Burton

Burton are the latest visitors to the Kassam for Saturday's Bridle Bonanza and Matt Peck looks back at our short history of home fixtures against the Brewers, the last of which provided 3 goals (all for Oxford), 2 red cards (both for Burton) and the end of a very long run of matches without a clean sheet.

2011-12 League Two Season Preview (Part 3)

The third and final part of this rather wordy series is here. Featuring the remaining 8 League Two clubs (last but certainly not least): Dagenham & Redbridge, Accrington Stanley, Barnet, Hereford United, Cheltenham Town, Macclesfield Town, Burton Albion and Morecambe. Also, if you haven't already, don't forget to read parts 1 and 2.