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Match Report
by Laurence Reade
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page Oxford United 0 Bristol Rovers 1 (Rammell) United failed to convert what was at times complete superiority and succeeded in handing a victory to a Rovers team who may have now earned themselves a place in next season's Division 3. The poor performance at Exeter produced a few switches in personnel but none in formation. Hunt replaced Hunter and Foley made way for Oldfield. The return of Oldfield meant United produced some of this best football I have seen this season in the first 30 minutes. Firstly Howie tipped a Ford rasper over the bar before Ford corner produced a Hunt volley which the former Reading keeper blocked. The Gas's first attack came on 14 minutes as Rammell stealing in at the back post deflected Astafjevs' free kick just wide. An Oldfield diagonal ball found Savage on the right. He teed up a half volley that Howie pushed behind. From the resulting corner Scott did well to turn and shoot in the 6-yard box but Howie was able to gather. Rovers were playing too narrow and Robinson was having an effective game raining in the crosses but as time went on one began to wonder where the goals were coming from. A Ford corner was headed back in by Crosby for Scott to see his shot blocked then scrambled clear. A pivotal moment came on 30 minutes when Savage limped off. Crucially Atkins chose to replace him not with Whitehead a natural midfielder but with the more aggressive Omoyinmi. United began to look slowly less effective as time went on. This was not immediately obvious a great work by Robinson set up Scott who saw one shot saved by Howie and the follow up blocked on the line by Barrett. Clearly Atkins had spotted the loss of impetus as he sent the team out early for the second half with the result that the team were in perfect position to witness the fantastic reception given to their opponents by 2804 Gas fans. Omoyinmi's cross cum shot was tipped over the bar by Howie, and the resulting corner was eventually headed over the bar by Scott, A low Omoyinmi cross crept past the back post before Rovers struck back as a quick counter attack resulted in Astafjevs' shot rolling agonizingly close to the back post. On 53 minutes Rovers finally punished United profligacy in front of goal. A free kick on the left was played out to the left for Hyde to cross for Rammell to gleefully blast home. Hunt who had not played since April 1st was looking increasingly tired as was covering less and less ground which eventually resulted in him collecting a booking for a foul on Quinn. A Ford dinked ball to Scott allowed him to find Omoyinmi on his right. Omoyinmi wriggled his way in to the box only to go down under Anderson's challenge. Referee Hall waved away strong penalty claims. A mistake by Bound allowed Llewellyn a one on one chance against Woodman but his attempted hip was weak and the goalie was able to catch above his head. Louis replaced the exhausted Oldfield but he was to have another, " Little Boy Lost, " games, failing to attack the ball like he did to get his goal in the corresponding fixture (The one that resulted in the Editor getting flattened). Soon after Basham was introduced as United far to belatedly went to 4 2 4 to get some morsel from the game. It was not to be as Scott headed over to end a magnificent move that started with a Ford diagonal ball to Omoyinmi who played the ball back for McNiven to cross. A Louis cross was handled by Basham with the OM stand screaming for a penalty that was never going to come, and Rovers continued to show ambition as Hodges caught Robinson in possession before finding Llewellyn who fired over. A Ford pass was held up well by Louis to allow Scott to shoot but the shot was too close to Howie and he was able to block then gather. Oxford's last chance fell to Crosby at the death as he blasted across the goal from a McNiven cross. Will we make the Playoffs? Only with a win at Scunthorpe ( a dog of a place) I suspect. See you all there for the Michelle and Junior show, and maybe even some football!!! Have a good week an see you at a non league game..... lol Attendance 8732 (2804 away) bloody hope the gas go down : -(
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