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.