Oxford United 3 (Crosby (pen) Savage 2) Rushden & Diamonds 0

United got their season back on track with a resounding win and a double against a side that is
unlikely to be doubled again this season. Yet most fans viewed the game with trepidation given the poor
performance at Southend. They presumably felt still worse when the line-ups were announced, no Bobby Ford
(virus), and no Dave Waterman (back).
Both sides got stuck in early on with referee Crossley responding by whistling up at every
opportunity even after the game quietened down. From being the quietest player against Southend, Hunt was
back to his best threading a glorious through ball to Scott, which was deflected for a corner.
Diamonds responded with Bell crossing from the right and McNiven did well to head away from Burgess rushing
in. Immediately after Lowe did well to fire in a shot from 6 yards which Woodman did even better by blocking
with his legs.
Oxford continued to attack, Robinson put a good cross and Basham was brought down on the edge of the box but
the resulting free kick rebounded off the wall and to safety.
On 16 minutes another incisive ball from Hunt found Scott on the left who whipped in cross at the second
attempt. Basham got a header in but fouled Turley in the process.
The game was becoming a terse scrappy midfield battle, Onandi Lowe was being his usual self; big,
strong but showing absolutely no movement when not on the ball. He got into a scuffle with Crosby at a
corner (both were booked), produced a brilliant dribble which took 3 tackles to stop, and made no
attempt to meet a Bell cross, for which he was berated.
Burgess got in on the fun by diving outrageously in the box, before Basham closed the half by turning
Barry Hunter before shooting over the bar.
Oxford started the second half by pushing Scott back and to the left and pushing Savage further forward on
the right. The impact was to make centre halves Barry Hunter, and Peters work less as a unit, pulling them
apart.
The new confidence produced a goal on 50 minutes.
Savage played through to Basham and he beat Barry Hunter completely for pace. He pulled at the Oxford
forward's shirt, and the whole Oxford team cried out for a penalty. Referee Crossley initially turned down
the appeals but Linesman Singh flagged for the spot kick. ( I remember him refereeing a friendly at Slough
Town a few years ago and doing well) Crosby put the penalty high into the top right hand corner sending
Turley the wrong way. A few minutes later Crossley was to turn down a still more blatant penalty when Roy
Hunter was tackled at head height.
United had learned from past mistakes and this time did not try to put 11 men behind the ball. Hunt found
Scott with another fine through ball but he took too long getting off a shot and Peters was able to block
sufficiently for Turley to gather.
The United/Cobblers midfield was winning all the important battles and on 63 minutes Roy Hunter hit the
crossbar with stunning 20-yard volley. Basham was offside as his follow-up was blocked.
United continued to press as Hunt dribbled past 3 defenders to force another corner, the result of which
was another one as Crosby's shot was deflected behind.
Duffy replaced Lowe and provided a better foil for Hall, and increasingly Diamonds began to find a way
back into the game. A speedy run by Hall into the Oxford box was stopped only by a superb tackle by
Edwards. Barry Hunter attempted to redeem himself by shooting low from 25 yards which Woodman saved at the
right post.
Everyone was preparing for a tense last 15 minutes when on 83 minutes Robinson found time and space on
the right and put in a superb cross which Savage headed home at the back post.
There was just enough time for Underwood to shoot across the goal before, on 86 minutes Hunt (who else?)
found Scott on the left once again. The cross this time was not as good, but Peters made a complete mess
of the clearance and the ball fell to Savage who slotted coolly past Turley to kill the game.
 

Oxford United Andy Woodman Scott McNiven Matt Robinson Matthew Bound Andy Crosby Christian Edwards David Savage James Hunt Roy Hunter Steve Basham Andy Scott Subs Dean Whitehead Jefferson Louis (for Scott 90+2) Chris Hackett David Oldfield Lee Steele Bookings Crosby (scuffle) 30" McNiven (foul) 58"

Rushden & Diamonds Billy Turley Marcus Bignot Mark Peters Barry Hunter Paul Underwood David Bell Andrew Sambrook Stuart Gray Andy Burgess Onandi Lowe Paul Hall Subs Gary Mills Gary Setchell (for Bell 71") Daniel Talbot Robert Duffy (for Lowe 64") John Dempster Booking Lowe (scuffle) 30"

Next     Kidderminster Away Tuesday 28th  January  2003-Division 3 kick off 7.45pm




            
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