LDV Vans First round
Oxford United 2 (Waterman, Crosby (pen))  AFC Bournemouth 3(S Fletcher, Hayter, Purches)

If ever a game proved the cliché of a game of two halves this was the one, absolutely appalling first
half, tremendous in the second. Atkins shuffled the pack bringing in Waterman and Hunter to the centre
midfield and using Powell and Hackett as wing backs.
This was a decision, in the case of Powell in particular that was to prove costly. In addition
Basham returned for his first game of any sort for weeks.
Bournemouth started with far more purpose than United with wingback Purches quickly finding a massive gap
between Powell and Bound to shoot over the bar. What followed was the most forgettable football seen at the
Kassam this season. Neither side seemed capable of breaking down the other or even to string a competent
pass together. Bournemouth were gradually realizing that the U’s centre midfield were sitting far too deep
and so were incapable of finding Louis and Basham.
Basham himself was trying manfully but was too short of match practice to have any impact. Worse, the
wingers turned wingbacks had to start their runs too deep, allowing the Cherries defence time to set
itself. In addition since his injury Powell has found it increasingly difficult to perform the twin duties
of defence and attack.
Either way it took 20 minutes for United to put together a meaningful attack, a fine tackle from
Broadhurst ended Hackett’s run from half way line to box.
3 minutes later Bournemouth opened the scoring by exploiting Powell’s inability to cover the defence
whilst attacking and broke on the counter playing Purches in on the right wing. His cross found Steve
Fletcher who stroked past Woodman into the right of the goal.
On 33 minutes Bournemouth doubled their lead in controversial circumstances. An attack broke down
leaving Steve Fletcher stranded just outside the U’s box. A mistake by the Oxford midfield allowed a
glorious through ball to be played to Hayter who shot past Woodman with consummate ease with the entire
Oxford team screaming for offside. The question is, was Fletcher interfering with play? At no time did
Fletcher ever look like receiving the ball but crucially he obscured Woodman’s field of view and so
the keeper never narrowed the angle.
On 37 minutes things went from bad to worse when Powell failed to pick up another Purches run from the
right. The ball was dinked over the top to him and he slotted past Woodman with not a hint of a defender.
The last attack of the half saw Steve Fletcher exploit the gap on the right again but Woodman did
well to parry his shot.
Atkins switched to 4 4 2. Bound became the scapegoat replaced by Robinson, Hunter switched to right back,
Powell to left wing and Savage to centre midfield. Oldfield replaced Basham.
The effect was almost immediate. Hackett’s runs became far more dangerous one such cross finding Louis
who succeeded in volleying over from 18 inches out.
Sensing space Viveash ran forward and was found by a ball over the top. He squared back to Oldfield whose
weak shot was easily gathered by Moss.
Oxford were playing all the football, and opened their account on 57 minutes. Louis crossed into the
box from the right, Oldfield nodded the ball up and of all people Waterman headed home running in.
The U’s continued to press and Savage’s looping header flashed just wide as Hackett and surprisingly
Hunter enjoyed the opportunity to rain in crosses.
Bournemouth sole chance of the half came on 67 minutes. Savage missed a tackle in the midfield, the
ball was played through to Steve Fletcher whose shot beat Woodman but Crosby cleared off the line.
Hayter ran in to shoot but Crosby cleared his shot as well, this time to safety.
2 minutes later Louis’ smart turn and shot was blocked by Moss, but Oldfield could only steer the
rebound wide.
Oxford continued to press and the lifeline arrived on 85 minutes when another bombing run forward by Viveash
resulted in a handball in the box. Crosby converted the penalty with cool ease.
The final 5 minutes saw Oxford in general and Louis in particular cause Bournemouth all kinds of problems
but without creating a gilt edged chance and so once again United exited the Associate Members competition
at the first stage.
 

Oxford United Andy Woodman Chris Hackett Paul Powell Roy Hunter Andy Crosby David Waterman Steve Basham Jefferson Louis David Savage Adi Viveash Matthew Bound Subs Dean Whitehead (for Savage 73) Scott McNiven Matt Robinson (for Bound HT) David Oldfield (for Basham HT) Manny Omoyinmi Booking Hackett (foul) 78

Bournemouth Neil Moss Stephen Purches Marcus Browning Carl Fletcher Narada Bernard Danny Thomas Brian Stock Steve Fletcher Gareth O’Connor Karl Broadhurst James Hayter Subs Gareth Stewart Wade Elliott (for Thomas 65) Amos Foyena Danny Bloomfield Warren Feeney (for S Fletcher 77) Booking

Next Match:-Shrewsbury Home Division 3..




            
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