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Match Report
by Laurence Reade
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page Torquay United 2 (Russell (pen), Wills) Oxford United 3 (Scott, Steele 2) Oxford left at very late to beat a spirited Torquay side, in game that was a good advertisement for Division 3 football. The game started at a furious rate as Scott just failed to get on to a through ball, before play switched and an Amankwaah cross was fired over the bar by Graham. Graham failed to control another good chance before Oxford created their first gilt edged chance. Basham controlled well to find Ford, who played a defence splitting ball to Hunt rushing through. He attempted to slide the ball under Dearden but the keeper did well to get down and smother the chance. Clist got ahead of McNiven but scuffed his shot-allowing Woodman to gather. Oxford were conceding possession too easily giving Torquay the opportunity to build from the midfield where they had a man's advantage. In particular, Robinson was having a poor time conceding possession on almost every opportunity. It seemed as if the only reason why the score line was blank was due to profligate finishing by the Gulls. Oxford had to wait until the 40th minute for their next good chance. Canoville brought down Basham on the edge of the box when he was clearly the last man. Referee Jones bottled it completely by only booking him, Fords free kick was well saved at full stretch by Dearden. Scott followed up with a shot that the diminutive keeper did brilliantly to recover to block. Oxford started the 2nd half in confident fashion. Scott was played through by Hunt but his shot closer to corner flag than goal. Grittons 18 yard shot was parried by Woodman, but Graham follow up was weak and the keeper was able to recover. On 51 minutes a 25-yard effort by Clist produced a spectacular save by Woodman clawing the ball away for a corner, from which Bedeau succeeded in missing form all off 6 yards. And for all of this, it was the visitors who took the lead on 56 minutes. Basham was hauled down on the left, and Fords free kick found Scott who planted a looping header past Deardens despairing dive into the bottom right corner. The game continued in its open pattern before on 71 minutes a there was a moment of real controversy. Referee Jones has been having a poor game, far too whistle happy and inconsistent, and his decision to award a penalty for an alleged tug on Grahams shirt by McNiven mystified players and supporters of both sides. Significantly, no Torquay player or fan appealed. Whatever the reason, Russell put the spot kick into the bottom left corner. Oxford responded by Savage putting Basham clean through but he contrived to miss from a full 6 yards. Oxford were punished for the mistake 4 minutes later, on 75 minutes. Clist played in substitute Wills form the left. He skipped over a leaden challenge from Waterman before dinking a delicate shot over a diving Woodman into the bottom left corner. On 79 minutes Oxford made the substitutions that changed the game. Louis and Steele replaced Waterman and Scott as Oxford went to 4 3 3 to chase the game. It took the former Brighton man exactly 2 minutes to make an impact. A Ford in swinging corner from the left evaded Louis head at the near post but Steele was able to nod home at the back post. Both sides continued to chase the win but someone seemed able to control the game. A Kuffour cross was headed over by Clist unopposed, but then United won the game in typical Division 3 fashion. With a minute of injury time on the clock. United in defence, cleared their lines by Savage lumping the ball over the top. All Amankwaah had to do was head clear but amazingly, joyously, he ducked allowing Steele collect the ball, and plant it past Dearden and give Head Coach Leroy Rosenior a serious bunch of Sour Grapes!!!
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