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Match Report
by Laurence Reade
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page Oxford United 2 (Crosby, Ford) Boston United 1(Douglas) Oxford made hard work of beating a Boston side that attempted to make up for lack of skill with honest endeavour. Ian Atkins kept an unchanged side form the team that started at Torquay, and Oxford quickly took control of the midfield. On 5 minutes smart work in the middle by Hunt found Robinson on the left. His cross found Scott who volleyed just over the bar. Boston were playing the long ball more often than any other side I have seen this season (non league included), which was a shame because their best moments were when Weatherstone on the right was able to link up with Logan up front. On 16 minutes Oxford took the lead. Basham was brought down on the left, and Fords free kick found Crosby at the penalty spot and he beat Bastock at the base of the left post. It was his first goal in open play this season. Boston were huffing and puffing manfully but were unable to contain the United midfield. Oxford looked capable of extending their lead but all too often the final killer ball was missing leaving Basham in particular isolated up front. On 37 minutes Boston finally cottoned on that Oxford are weak in the wing back positions and Bennett sent in a wicked cross from the right that Waterman did well to head behind from the back post. Liam George, the man whose goal got Malcolm Shotton the sack was beating McNiven at will principally because the defender seemed unwilling to tackle. Waterman and Crosby fortunately were having superb games, keeping things tight. Boston ended the first half with Costello running from the right unchecked before finding Logan on the right of the box. His shot was saved by a combination of Waterman and Woodman. Oxford started the second half in complete control and it was no surprise that on 53 minutes the lead was doubled. Scott flicked a Savage cross from the right on and Ford sneaked in at the penalty spot unchallenged to score with a diving header. Surprisingly it was his first goal of his second spell. A Savage thunderbolt from the right was well saved by Bastock, before a good square ball by Robinson found Scott on the edge of the box. Unfortunately it also found his right foot and the shot skewed well wide. On 63 minutes a glorious diagonal ball by Savage found Scott in the centre. He teed up Basham who fired just wide. Boston were always going to need some sort of lifeline to get back in the game, and on 68 minutes Oxford gave them just that. A simple lump forward was played over the top towards Douglas, and instead of doing the simple thing and aiming for Row X, Crosby allowed the ball to float over him, allowing Douglas to stroke into a empty net, Woodman utterly stranded. A minute later came the moment of real controversy, A through ball found Andy Scott on the edge of the box. He rounded Bastock and the keeper deliberately brought him down right on the edge of the box. Boston warmed up their substitute keeper as the Physios treated the two players. When finally order was regained Referee Leake astounded everyone by merely booking Bastock. The look of relief on his face was there for all to see as he jogged back to his goal line. With time running out Boston pushed more men up front and Weatherstone should have scored when unmarked at the edge of the box, following a good cross from the left. Steele finally replaced a tired Basham and did well to cross from the left to find Savage diving in at the back post. Bastock produced an exceptional diving save that he should have never been on the field to pull off. Boston continued to press with more spirit than skill, and Waterman had to be restrained after being blamed by Woodman for allowing Douglas to shoot over the bar, but any other result would have been a travesty of justice.
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