Oxford United 0 - 2 Bradford City

Between my last report and this The Yellows had failed to record a single point, resulting in a four match losing streak. So Oxford would be hoping to put all that behind them as they welcome a lively bunch of Bradford fans down from Yorkshire. Oxford are happy to welcome back talisman Peter Leven from a long term injury, however, Adam Chapman becoming injured in training leaves the U's still short of fit players. Tony Capaldi was consequently pushed into centre midfield with O'Brien making his first appearance at left-back for the club.

As the game got under way there was a definite anticipation amongst the Oxford fans, the feeling that we needed a win, not a great performance, just the three points.

The opening exchanges saw nothing in the way of chances, with both teams seemingly lacking ambition. Ryan Clarke had a scare when he misjudged coming out for the ball, but got away with it. That was as much action  to be seen in the first half which can be described as unimaginative and boring. The 4-3-3 routine formation constantly used by Wilder has become an annoyance amongst fans and something needed to change in the second period.

The second half started as the first had finished; slowly. Bradford scored their first goal from a corner, a bullet header by Davies left Oxford's spirits dampened.

A response was needed by Oxford; an injection of pace by Potter, perhaps a whipped ball into the box by Batt. However, a drab Oxford side created nothing. This led the way for Bradford to capitalise, a shot tipped round the post by Clarke led to a corner which once again they scored from.

Boo's began to ring out in corners of the Kassam Stadium as conflicting views of Wilder became evident. And when James Constable finally got a shot away with five minutes left to play ironic cheers reverberated around the ground.

I left the ground reflecting on a horrendous Oxford performance. And with coming fixtures giving The Yellows no sympathy its hard to see when this losing streak will end. I now find myself joining the 'Wilder Out' club as his predictable set-up see's no end and his summer transfers have not lived up to expectation. But the injury concerns are out of his hands, however, a good manager would surely cope despite the unforeseen problems.

Attendance: 6,032
Man of the Match: Peter Leven - Good to have him back.
Match rating: *
Referee Rating: *** - Unfairly booked James Constable, but other than that had a fairly uneventful game.

Oxford United 2 - 4 Exeter City

An immediate response cancelled out this goal. A controversial penalty was awarded, giving Jake Forster-Caskey the chance to get a goal back for Oxford. He didn't disappoint.

An impressive 695 made the journey up from Exeter for a clash that was last played a good five years ago in the play-off semi-finals; it was Exeter who came off the better then, and it would be Exeter who come off the better today.

With the opening exchanges showing signs of promise for The Yellows it was Exeter who grabbed the first goal. With plenty of time to pick his spot, Cureton lashed it into the top corner.

The linesman seemed to have trouble spotting a couple offsides after this, so when Ryan Clarke prevented the ball from going for a corner, the linesman thought otherwise and awarded the corner. From the resulting decision Exeter were able to double their lead, a bullet header from Bennett left Clarke helpless and Oxford fans infuriated.

As the half grew older it was clear where this Oxford tram needed strengthening; out wide. Sean Rigg failed to produce the crosses which had attracted Wilder to him, with Batt facing similar problems. As for Exeter,, with Cureton leading the attack and a stern defence on display they can be pleased. Contrastingly, the officials were met with deserved jeers from the home crowd.

Five minutes had passed in the second period before Cureton got his second and Exeter's third. He was too quick for Raynes and guided it past Clarke.


With the crowd rejuvenated Oxford pushed on, created chances, and eventually got a second on 63 minutes through a free-kick, the ball whipped in by Chapman created problems for Goalkeeper, Krysiak who flapped leaving an open net which Potter headed into.

Only a goal down now the fans started to believe, the players started to believe. However, the final touch was missing, Smalley had the best chance, but his header went over from five yards out. Then a sublime ball from Exeter's, Bauza split United's defence and fed O'Flynn through for a one-on-one situation with Clarke, he buried it on the bottom corner.

With twenty minutes still on the clock it wasn't totally out of sight. But when James Constable received a second yellow card for a soft challenge, the game was over.

This defeat can be looked at as completely the officials fault, but Oxford must give credit to a strong Exeter side, who looked equipped in every department on the pitch today. A club which made many transfers in the window looked like a team bound together for years. As for Oxford, this is a match to forget in many respects. Perhaps a cup hangover? Just an off-day? There were positives to take however, the football played at points was promising and Chapman linked up play very well.

Attendance: 6,548
Man of the Match: Adam Chapman - Despite tiring late on, he was composed throughout and led by example.
Match Rating: ****
Referee Rating: * - And the reason he gets one star is because one of his linesmen did well.

Oxford United 1 - 0 Swindon Town

It was derby day in this Johnstone's Paint Trophy first round tie as Oxford looked for their third win in a year against their high-flying local rivals Swindon Town. The pre-match build up was mainly dominated by the rumours that Oxford boss, Chris Wilder, could be departing to Coventry.

As the game got under way it was clear this was going to be a match that would require a stern defensive performance from centre backs Michael Raynes and Jake Wright.

With both sets of fans singing their hearts out it was a cracking atmosphere, but it was Swindon who had the clearer of the openings. Twice opportunities came for the team in red, but both times they were wasted and the attempts didn't even hit the target.

Going into half time the defenders had proceeded with their duty excellently, stopping all Swindon attacks and limiting the chances to a minimum.

After the break both teams lacked pace on the wings. The introduction of Alfie Potter for Oxford failed to inject the extra pace needed and the fans were becoming slightly frustrated.

But it was Swindon who looked the most likely of the two sides to break the deadlock in the tight derby affair. Only a set piece or a lucky break, could be seen as the only way Oxford were going to get a goal.

As various scuffles amongst fans began to break out they became the main centre of attention as the match flattened.

However, with eighty-eight minutes on the clock and penalties looming large, two Town defenders collided. James Constable stole the ball and delivered the perfect ball into the box for Alfie Potter to side-foot home.

The stadium erupted and I found myself pushed to the floor as fans bundled on top of one another, celebrating the goal.

The atmosphere in the ground was special tonight. This was merely the first round of The Johnstone's Paint Trophy, but from the atmosphere it felt like the final. It was the atmosphere only found when a match between Oxford and Swindon takes place.

A fantastic effort by Oxford United means the bragging rights stay firmly at the east end of the A420.

Attendance: 7,746
Man of the Match: Jake Wright - Phenomenal performance by Jake, he kept the prolific strikers quiet.
Match Rating: *****
Referee Rating: ** - It was always going to be tough for the man in charge tonight but most fouls were soft.