Fixture: Barnet 0 Oxford United 2
Date: 17/9/11
Oxford started with the same line-up that had won midweek at Dagenham. That meant that West Ham loanee Robert Hall kept his place on the left of a 3 man attack. Another new loanee from Bury, Andy Haworth, took his place on the bench. So the line-up was: Clarke, Batt, Duberry, Wright, Davis, Heslop, McLaren, Leven, Potter, Constable, R. Hall. Subs: Smalley, Whing, Payne, Haworth, Worley.
With over 1,000 travelling fans cheering them on, Oxford won the toss and elected to kick up-hill on a pitch that evoked memories of the old Manor Ground. The U's came out of the blocks quickly and and an early attack saw Potter put a dangerous ball across the box just inches too far in front of Constable.
Unsurprisingly, with Lawrie Sanchez as Barnet's manager, the Bees took the direct route and Oxford had some tough defending to do against a barrage of long throws and lofted punts. Oxford were countering well and Potters pace was causing problems for their defence. On 20 minutes Barnet had the ball in the net but it was dissallowed after hitting a Barnet player on the arm. Then McLeod chased after a through-ball but was hauled back by Wright who earned a booking for his troubles.
On 32 minutes Oxford took the lead with a superbly worked goal. Picking the ball up in his half, Leven played Potter in on the left. His cross was half-cleared by a defender but it dropped nicely for Simon Heslop to take one touch before unleashing a 20 yard shot which whistled past the keeper and into the back of the net. Buoyed by the goal Oxford went in search of another as Hall and Leven both went close.
On 38 minutes the second goal duly arrived. If we thought the first one was good, this one was to prove even better. Liam Davis latched onto a loose ball midway inside the Bee's half. Running forward he played a short pass to Leven, continued his run into the area where a delightful flick by the midfielder dropped perfectly for Davis to volley home. Such was the tight angle that at first we all thought the ball had somehow gone through the side-netting but as we watched the players in wild celebration we all realised that it had indeed gone in. Later, replays confirmed what a sweet strike it was.
Oxford had one more chance in the half to extend their lead when Hall put Potter through on goal but a defender just managed to nick the ball off his toe and out to safety.
Kicking downhill in the second half Oxford had Barnet pinned back in the early stages with Constable, Potter and Hall all going close. Barnet managed a rare chance which called on Clarke to make a flying save whilst at the other end Constable was denied a goal when he goal-bound shot was toe-ended away by the keeper.
Barnet then missed a glorious chance to get back in the game when their striker, in front of goal, headed the ball into the ground only to see it bounce over the bar. Next a free-kick by Leven from the edge of the area went just inches wide. Smalley replaced Constable on 80 minutes and had a glorious chance to get his first United goal when a ball from Potter put him through on goal. With just the keeper to beat his shot was blocked and the ball went to safety.
Minutes before the end of normal time, Barnet had their best chance to score when a long range shot through a crowd of players left Clarke stranded but fortunately for him the ball hit the base of the post and rebounded back into play. In stoppage time came the most contentious decision of the game. Wright made a tackle on former U's striker, Deering, just out side the area, whereupon the latter man went down like a sack of spuds and proceeded to writhe on the ground. Already booked, Wright was shown a second yellow card and dismissed. Miraculously Deering sprang up showing no ill effects at all! Cheating little ****
Despite being reduced to 10 men, Oxford comfortably saw out the remaining minutes to record a great victory and, more importantly, 3 points which take them up to 7th and into the playoff positions.
Date: 17/9/11
Oxford started with the same line-up that had won midweek at Dagenham. That meant that West Ham loanee Robert Hall kept his place on the left of a 3 man attack. Another new loanee from Bury, Andy Haworth, took his place on the bench. So the line-up was: Clarke, Batt, Duberry, Wright, Davis, Heslop, McLaren, Leven, Potter, Constable, R. Hall. Subs: Smalley, Whing, Payne, Haworth, Worley.
With over 1,000 travelling fans cheering them on, Oxford won the toss and elected to kick up-hill on a pitch that evoked memories of the old Manor Ground. The U's came out of the blocks quickly and and an early attack saw Potter put a dangerous ball across the box just inches too far in front of Constable.
Unsurprisingly, with Lawrie Sanchez as Barnet's manager, the Bees took the direct route and Oxford had some tough defending to do against a barrage of long throws and lofted punts. Oxford were countering well and Potters pace was causing problems for their defence. On 20 minutes Barnet had the ball in the net but it was dissallowed after hitting a Barnet player on the arm. Then McLeod chased after a through-ball but was hauled back by Wright who earned a booking for his troubles.
On 32 minutes Oxford took the lead with a superbly worked goal. Picking the ball up in his half, Leven played Potter in on the left. His cross was half-cleared by a defender but it dropped nicely for Simon Heslop to take one touch before unleashing a 20 yard shot which whistled past the keeper and into the back of the net. Buoyed by the goal Oxford went in search of another as Hall and Leven both went close.
On 38 minutes the second goal duly arrived. If we thought the first one was good, this one was to prove even better. Liam Davis latched onto a loose ball midway inside the Bee's half. Running forward he played a short pass to Leven, continued his run into the area where a delightful flick by the midfielder dropped perfectly for Davis to volley home. Such was the tight angle that at first we all thought the ball had somehow gone through the side-netting but as we watched the players in wild celebration we all realised that it had indeed gone in. Later, replays confirmed what a sweet strike it was.
Oxford had one more chance in the half to extend their lead when Hall put Potter through on goal but a defender just managed to nick the ball off his toe and out to safety.
Kicking downhill in the second half Oxford had Barnet pinned back in the early stages with Constable, Potter and Hall all going close. Barnet managed a rare chance which called on Clarke to make a flying save whilst at the other end Constable was denied a goal when he goal-bound shot was toe-ended away by the keeper.
Barnet then missed a glorious chance to get back in the game when their striker, in front of goal, headed the ball into the ground only to see it bounce over the bar. Next a free-kick by Leven from the edge of the area went just inches wide. Smalley replaced Constable on 80 minutes and had a glorious chance to get his first United goal when a ball from Potter put him through on goal. With just the keeper to beat his shot was blocked and the ball went to safety.
Minutes before the end of normal time, Barnet had their best chance to score when a long range shot through a crowd of players left Clarke stranded but fortunately for him the ball hit the base of the post and rebounded back into play. In stoppage time came the most contentious decision of the game. Wright made a tackle on former U's striker, Deering, just out side the area, whereupon the latter man went down like a sack of spuds and proceeded to writhe on the ground. Already booked, Wright was shown a second yellow card and dismissed. Miraculously Deering sprang up showing no ill effects at all! Cheating little ****
Despite being reduced to 10 men, Oxford comfortably saw out the remaining minutes to record a great victory and, more importantly, 3 points which take them up to 7th and into the playoff positions.
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