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Match Report
by Laurence Reade
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page Oxford United 0 Macclesfield 1 (Tipton) On a day when thousands took to the streets of London to protest over the Iraq war, Oxford United signed a non-aggression pact in sympathy. Sadly Macclesfield lost the plot and outplayed their hosts. Put simply Oxford created little or nothing of note and made a one man (Tipton) side look anything other than relegation candidates. Only 2 Oxford players can be excused. Savage for running himself into the ground before being criminally substituted, and Woodman for having the commitment to return and singe handedly keeping the score respectable. It took Macclesfield a full 3 minutes to realise that United were not up for this one. Poor defending produced a goalmouth scramble as Woodman blocked Tipton's shot. The U's were incapable of imposing themselves on the game as Defence hoofed forward, the midfield worked without achieving and Louis and Basham failed to muster anything like an understanding. Louis was having a personal nightmare seemingly having forgotten everything he has learned since his arrival and failing to even complete the absolute basics. Oxford's sole chances in the first half consisted of a blocked Bound free kick and a glorious Ford diagonal ball, which Basham put wide. Macclesfield's goal on 39 minutes was another deflected effort. Waterman missed an important tackle for the second time in 2 games and Tipton's 20-yard shot spun off Bound's back past a stranded Woodman. Oxford (I can hardly call them United) brought on Hackett for Crosby for the second half and switched to 4 4 2. It made absolutely no difference. Lightbourne continued to torment the Oxford defence and Tipton looked in danger of completing an easy hat trick as he first skipped past Bound who's movement seemed in slow motion before firing in a shot that Woodman pushed round the post at full stretch. He then headed a corner over the bar with the entire Oxford defence admiring his movement. Savage was replaced by Powell with the entire Oxford Mail stand utterly convinced that Atkins had entirely lost the plot, before a Tipton turn left Waterman reeling, his shot was tipped round the post by Woodman using his fingertips. Oxford's sole shot on target came as late as the 67th minute, but it was hardly worthy of the name as Louis shot weakly straight at Wilson. Omoyinmi replaced Robinson who looked like he was suffering from vertigo whenever he crossed the half way line and Oxford managed to look appalling using a third formation, 3 4 3. Louis came within an ace of being dismissed for repeated fouling, and Oxford finished the game to thoroughly deserved boos.
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