Oxford United 2 (Omoyinmi Powell) Torquay United 2
(Graham Bedeau)


For the vast majority of this match I thought I would be writing much the same as I did for the last 2 two home
games. The two late goals masked glaring deficiencies in the team especially in front of goal.
Oxford brought in Whitehead for Omoyinmi and on the basis that if you sign a loan player you must play him
Viveash replaced Bound. Torquay featured former OUFC loanee Dearden and former triallist Gritton.
After 4 minutes Gritton proved why Oxford limited his time in Yellow and blue to 45 minutes when he was put
through with only Woodman to beat. He dithered before shooting tamely which allowed Woodman to parry and the
2nd ball was wasted.
Immediately after that a mix up between Dearden and Homes gave away a needless corner. Ford cross was
perfect for Scott to attack but his free header was plated over the bar.
Oxford were playing all the football and the end of some good build up play from Oldfield Hunt and Savage
saw Ford 20 yards out. He feigned to play McNiven in on the wing but did a trick turn and fired a low shot
just wide of the post. This set the tone for the rest of the half Oxford enjoying all the possession but
spurning all the chances that came their way.
Scott did well to feed Oldfield but his attempt to volley was horribly miscued. The theme was reversed
when Oldfield found Scott. The former Brentford man had a sight of goal but took too long so Hazell
challenged and Deaden saved.
On 22 minutes Robinson's deep cross found Hunt at the back of the box. He nodded back but no other midfield
saw the chance and so no one made the run into the box, criminal.
After 31 minutes Scott wasted another gilt edged chance when Whitehead and Oldfield combined to find
McNiven. Scott blasted his cross wide with the goal at his mercy.
McNiven's crossing was proving to be a thorn in the Gulls' side and soon after another pinpoint
cross-found Oldfield but his flicked header went just wide.
The half ended with Savage having a chance ended by a good challenge and Oldfield shooting over.
The half had seen Oxford do everything but score so the fans would have imagined that Atkins would have
said something like, "More of the same lads, the goals will come." Obviously he didn't.
For the second half Powell replaced Whitehead with Savage switching to the right and Powelly in his
normal position on the left wing.
Before the team had a chance to sort itself out Graham was played clean through. He fired past Woodman
without ever being close to being challenged.
Torquay's tails were up and Oxford seemed incapable of even the most basic challenge or pass. (What did
Atkins say to them?)
Bedeau found Gritton completely unmarked and Woodman did well to save his shot.
The game was becoming more and more disjointed as Oxford got more and more anxious and Torquay became
happy to defend their lead.
On 71 minutes Oxford had their best chance of the game at that point. A Ford corner found Crosby who
smashed a shot against the underside of the crossbar.
What would Oxford have to do to score?

The fans were getting increasingly angry and Torquay's second produced signs of open mutiny.
Torquay played the ball through the midfield with ridiculous ease and the ball was played back across
the box for Bedeau to plant an easy header past Woodman.
Immediately Atkins brought on Louis as a desperation measure and the gambit worked. The young  forward
played Omoyinmi through and his shot slid underneath Dearden and trickled over the line.
United piled forward and Louis found himself in the box but before he could get a shot off he was
dispossessed.
With 2 minutes left Oxford gave their season a lifeline. McNiven crossed to Louis who was able only
to get the ball to skid off his head. Fortunately Powell was coming in shot past Dearden form the corner
of the 18 yard box to give Oxford a point they scarcely deserved.
There was still time for Torquay to have an attack well cleared by Crosby before referee Evans called
time on an amazing if frustrating afternoon's entertainment.

Oxford United                                                                 Torquay United
Andy Woodman                                                                Kevin Dearden
Matt Robinson                                                                  Reuben Hazell           
Scott McNiven                                                                  David Woozley          
Andy Crosby                                                                      Paul Homes        
Adi Viveash                                                                       Sean Hankin           
James Hunt                                                                        Matt Hockley    
Dean Whitehead                                                                Tony Bedeau      
David Savage                                                                     Kevin Hill             
Bobby Ford                                                                        Lee Canoville             
Andy Scott                                                                         Martin Gritton         
David Oldfield                                                                   David Graham

Subs                                                                                   Subs
Matt Bound                                                                         Jamie Attwell
Manny Omoyinmi (for Savage 61)                                      Marcus Richardson (for Gritton 76)
David Waterman                                                                Neil Prince (for Hill 76)
Paul Powell (for Whitehead HT)                                        Ryan Ashington
Jefferson Louis (for Scott 79)                                             Troy Douglin

Booked                                                                          Booked
McNiven 33 (foul)                                                             Canoville 10 (foul)
                                                                                           Bedeau 53 (foul)
                                                                                           Gritton 64 (retaliation)




Next Match:-Bristol City away in the Worthington Cup 1st Round.






            
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