Oxford United 5 - 0 Accrington Stanley

On Monday night Oxford looked like a team recently woven together, there was no cohesion about them; no togetherness. It was a different story today as Accrington came to the Kassam on the back of two defeats and slipping out of the play-off places. Tom Craddock said after the match that the start Oxford enjoyed can was "like a false start", but with today's result, The Yellows look to be back underway with their push for promotion.

Oxford tend to start games brightly, and today was no different. With just twelve minutes on the clock Tom Craddock striked, hoisting the ball into the back of the net, starting what would prove to be a prolific day for the Oxford striker.

Ian Dunbavin was Stanley's man of the match. He misjudged a back pass however in the twenty third minute, allowing Craddock to pick his spot and slot the ball past his near post.

James Constable looks to be finding his form which has been in abundance recently. A goal would have done him good but today Dunbavin came out on top. From one of his rebounded shots Craddock was on hand to blast into the roof of the net. A first half hat-trick for Craddock, and three goals for United!

The Stanley defence was poor. As for the strikeforce, they had very few chances to force the issue, yet struck the post just coming up to half time.

Unfortunately a more lenient Oxford United approached the second half. The fans, very rarely relaxed, were.  And the style of football followed. Although Accrington hit the bar it was simple for Oxford, and they played with confidence.

Craddock became the first person to score four in a game for Oxford in twenty years when he wrong-footed Dunbavin to put the icing on the cake.

The fifth came from Alfie Potter, who by his standards had a quiet night. Some slick football left Potter on the receiving end of a Peter Leven chip. He nestled it between a dumbfound Dunbavin's legs.

The final whistle couldn't come sooner for Stanley whose 96 travelling fans sang their hearts out the entire game. It's hard to believe they sit in the upper half of the table considering this was the worst team seen at the Kassam in a long while.

Oxford on the other hand needed this. Chris Wilder needed this. Tom Craddock needed this. Let's hope this will be the catalyst in a Christmas surge Oxford normally encounter.

Attendance: 5,403

Man of the Match: Tom Craddock - His four goal haul more than doubled his tally for the season. Although he owes much of his success to Constable

Match Rating: *****

Referee Rating: Deadman - Nothing controversial to deal with.

Oxford United 3 - 2 AFC Wimbledon

It was the worst run of Chris Wilder's reign at Oxford United. Six defeats from six meant The U's were heading to the wrong end of the table. As the murmurs of 'Wilder Out' loudened this was a must win game for Chris who could have been looking for a new job come Monday morning. However, new Oxford chairman Ian Lenaghan has declared he will only judge wilder when the team is at full strength. That could be a while. AFC Wimbledon however have already gone ahead and sacked long-term boss Terry Brown who gained them four straight promotions; a bit harsh in my opinion.

This was a game from the off that produced many chances. Oxford had't touched the ball before Wayne Brown was brought into action to tip round the post. The resulting corner was far from convincingly dealt with. But it would be Oxford who got the early break; Jake Forster-Caskey looping a free kick over the wall and past goalkeeper Brown of Wimbledon. One nil to Oxford and I could feel a whole lot more comfortable. For ten minutes.

Eleven minutes after getting the first goal Oxford were pegged back through a goal mouth scramble that could only be found in the lower leagues. With Oxford failing to clear on multiple occasions, Harrison was there to nod the ball in.

United keeper Wayne Brown had been called in to replace Ryan Clarke, whose form had recently dipped. Against Rotherham Brown made a couple of faults, resulting in two goals. Arguably, the second Wimbledon goal was savable. From thirty-five yards Fenlon let strike and found the opposite bottom corner.

Inevitable boo's from the home fans followed with the odd 'Wilder Out' chant thrown in just to make sure the  message was clear. Wayne Brown received a fair share of jeers as the sides went in for the break.

Simon Heslop, like most other Oxford players has been low on confidence, and on poor form. He was brought on at half-time, replacing Simon Cox. And it was Heslop who delivered an inspired ball into the box which failed to receive the deserved header from Potter, it was saved, but the rebound tapped in by Dean Smalley.

It was Oxford who piled on the pressure, but Wimbledon who had the better of the openings. A shot looped over Oxford keeper Wayne Brown, looking goal-bound, but finding the post. Brown was later subbed for Clarke to a standing ovation from the Oxford fans.

Times were growing hard for The Yellows, but there wasn't the usual, tense atmosphere in the stands, instead it was one of acceptance that we are not a team that can be challenging the top clubs of the league with such a bland line-up.

Luckily, the two Wimbledon centre backs were as bad as any seen at The Kassam in recent times. This allowed Tommy Craddock to drive a ball through the defence for an Alfie Potter tap in.

The action wasn't over there and in the last minute Ryan Clarke produced a save that wouldn't look out of place in the premier league. Wimbledon also hit the bar with seconds left on the clock.

Full time and Wimbledon must be absolutely devastated they have nothing to show for a hearty performance at the Kassam. As for Oxford, they didn't lose! I left the ground feeling very pleased.

Attendance: 5,206
Man of the Match: Sean Rigg - Produced some cracking crosses.
Match Rating: ****
Referee Rating: East - He had a fairly good game except for one or two late on decisions. Let the game flow very well.