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.