Nationwide League Division Two - Saturday 25th March, 2000
Cambridge
United (4-4-2): Perez, Kavanagh, Eustace, McNeil, Joseph; Mackenzie,
Wanless (c), Ashbee, Hansen (Abbey 84'); Lamey (Taylor 54'), Benjamin. Oxford
United : Knight, Robinson (c), Powell, Watson (Davis 73'),
Whelan, Weatherstone (Jemson 73'), Murphy, Tait, Anthrobus, Lilley,
Cook. Referee: Michael Jones (Cheshire). Shots
on target: Cambridge 3 Oxford 2
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The Mighty U's of Cambridge beat the other variety from Oxford this afternoon to move out of the relegation zone again and ensure that this nail-biting season will run and run. Trevor Benjamin's sixth goal in successive games and John Hansen's first were enough to take the points at a rain-soaked Abbey Stadium. Roy McFarland made three changes to the side which drew 2-2 at Luton on Tuesday night, with on loan goalkeeper Lionel Perez making his anticipated debut in place of the injured Shaun Marshall. John Hansen replaced the injured Tom Youngs in midfield but the big shock was the replacement for John Taylor up front. Although not injured, 35-year-old Taylor is feeling the strain after starting the last seven matches but his replacement was not recent signing Zema Abbey, not even young Daniel Chillingworth, but 19-year-old Nathan Lamey who makes his first ever appearance for the first team. The former Wolves trainee joined the club last summer and is currently leading scorer for the youth and reserve teams, and he was recalled at short notice from Abbey's former club Hitchin Town where he has spent a few weeks on a non-contract basis. In a rich vein of goal-scoring form, the pacy Lamey gets the chance to transfer it to the first team for a vital relegation battle. Heavy rain and hail since 1pm this afternoon left large puddles on the pitch and the referee and his assistants made a close inspection of the playing surface prior to kick-off, while the ground staff worked furiously to sweep away the standing water. The conditions were very damp underfoot as the game kicked-off and there was the fear that any more rain could see the match abandoned. United got off to a purposeful start and in the second minute Neil Mackenzie whipped in a free-kick from the right which Ian Ashbee met with a header that flashed over from eight yards out. Two minutes later Oxford won a free kick 20 yards out in a central position, but Jamie Cook struck it well wide to calls of "How wide do you want the goal?" from the home crowd. Goalkeeper Perez had to make a couple of confident claims under no real pressure from the Oxford attack, then in the eighth minute Cambridge took a nerve-settling early lead thanks to a good link-up between the new-look front line. With possibly his first touch of the match, Nathan Lamey flicked on Scott Eustace's long free-kick into the path of Trevor Benjamin and the big striker controlled the ball and slid it under Richard Knight for his six goal in consecutive matches, and his 18th of the season. (1-0) John Hansen was making the most of returning to the starting line-up by supplying some crosses from the left and in the 17th minute he whipped one in which didn't go entirely to plan but was caught by Knight under the bar as he backpedalled furiously to stop it going straight in. Then in the 28th minute, another Hansen cross was headed down by Powell and deflected off Whelan which almost wrong-footed the 'keeper. From the 30th to the 38th minutes, Oxford won a succession of corners with a tally of seven or eight to our one. On the half hour a corner kick fell to Steve Anthrobus on the edge of the area, and his shot on the turn was going wide until it hit Whelan's head and flew past the other post. Five minutes later Cambridge United were under a barrage from Oxford and it was all hands to the pump to resist the pressure. Cook's header from one corner flashed across the face of goal and was headed behind by Hansen for another Oxford corner. In the 38th minute Cambridge had broken out and won a free-kick, but Neil Mackenzie curled it into the side-netting with Paul Wanless unmarked in the area and screaming for a pass. Two minutes later an Oxford cross bounced off Eustace and fell to Whelan eight yards out but as the defender swung a foot at it, the ball bounced off his shin and went wide. Cambridge withstood the pressure and doubled the lead in the 44th minute when Whelan played a weak pass back to his keeper. The ball got held up in a puddle and John Hansen seized on it and finished with aplomb, placing the ball between Knight and the far post. (2-0) We began and ended the half well while Oxford exerted some pressure in between without ever really testing Lionel Perez. The other debut boy Nathan Lamey had done well, working hard and not looking out of his depth as well as setting up the first important goal. He was on the end of one horrendous challenge too, and Canadian international Mark Watson was booked in the 41st minute for going through the back of the teenager. (Half-time 2-0) The pitch received more attention at half-time and the U's kicked off toward the Newmarket Road end after the break. In the 50th minute Oxford's Cook cut inside from the right and shot over the apex of bar and post then after 54 minutes Lamey made way for Taylor, having run himself into the ground on a very heavy pitch. A minute later Ian Ashbee launched a long throw to Mackenzie on the edge of the box whose shot on the turn hit the top of the Newmarket Road stand, and in the 57th minute Powell's long throw was flicked on by Whelan and Perez claimed bravely at Cook's feet. A deep Oxford cross in the 61st minute landed on Whelan's head but he headed tamely into the Frenchman's arms, then two minutes later John Taylor dummied Whelan three times before sending over a cross that was fractionally too high for Hansen at the far post. The busy Dane was involved again when in the 69th minute. Mackenzie produced a raking pass to Benjamin whose headed released Hansen, but he was scythed down by Robinson who collected Oxford's third yellow card of the afternoon. United were defending deeply and more or less conceding the midfield area to Oxford at this stage, but they were unable to capitalise on the extra territory. The toothless visitors made a double substitution in the 73rd minute, bringing on Jemson and Davis for Weatherstone and Watson as they tried desperately to get back into the game. Two minutes later Matt Murphy's snap shot on the turn was saved low and one-handed at the foot of his right post by Perez. Most of United's injured players were keeping warm in the press box and they instantly proclaimed their new team-mate as the Man of the Match! That save apart, Cambridge were in charge and contained the visitors comfortably until a minor scare in the 92nd minute. Anthrobus fed Jemson who was allowed to continue despite looking offside, but Perez saved with his feet to preserve the welcome clean sheet. Reporter Mark Johnson said he has never been so relaxed at a football match as he was during the second half today: "At 2-0 Oxford were never going to score and we had the game comfortably won. The defence did not look particularly more secure than normal but Oxford didn't have an effective forward line today." Mark's Man of the Match: "Ian Darler (the stadium manager) - for getting the game on in these conditions. No United player was particularly outstanding but it was a good team performance." Ref watch: Michael Jones - did well to get the game on and made reasonable allowance for the conditions. 7/10 After the match the referee, Michael Jones, confirmed that the match had been in some doubt due to the sudden rainfall which left standing water on top of what had been a hard surface this morning, and he had decided at 2:55pm that it could go ahead. Speaking to Mark Johnson for United's Abbey Update line, debutant Nathan Lamey revealed that he knew last night that he would be playing today. He also praised a good team performance and added that he didn't know which team he would be playing for next weekend - the under-19s, the first team or Hitchin Town! Given that Trevor Benjamin is suspended for Saturday's trip to Oldham the chances much be good after today's showing that he will be on the first team coach to Lancashire. You can hear the whole interview on 09068 555885. After today's win and results elsewhere - Blackpool, Chesterfield and Scunthorpe all lost - we have climbed two places to 19th in the table.
Results on Saturday 25th March 2000
AFC Bournemouth 2-0 Wycombe Wanderers 4,393
Bristol City 1-0 Brentford 8,804
Burnley 2-2 Bury 13,297
Cambridge United 2-0 Oxford United 5,127
Chesterfield 1-3 Luton Town 2,597
Colchester United 2-1 Gillingham 4,337
Millwall 3-0 Bristol Rovers 12,858
Preston North End 1-0 Wrexham 12,481
Reading 0-1 Cardiff City 10,044
Scunthorpe United 1-2 Oldham Athletic 3,807
Stoke City 3-0 Blackpool 10,002
Wigan Athletic 2-0 Notts County 6,094
Bottom of Division Two
17 Wrexham 38 11 11 16 42 55 -13 44
18 Bury 36 9 15 12 48 49 -1 42
19 Cambridge United 38 9 11 18 52 56 -4 38
20 Cardiff City 38 7 16 15 39 52 -13 37
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21 Oxford United 39 10 7 22 36 65 -29 37
22 Scunthorpe United 38 8 12 18 35 59 -24 36
23 Blackpool 39 7 13 19 41 67 -26 34
24 Chesterfield 37 5 12 20 25 50 -25 27
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Cambridge United took full advantage of soggy conditions to win their vital relegation struggle against Oxford 2-0 and clamber out of the relegation zone.
Torrential rain half an hour before the kick-off put the game in doubt, and the playing surface had an important part in the result. A minute before half-time Oxford centre half Phil Whelan attempted a back pass which was slowed by the soggy surface allowed John Hansen to nip in and steer a shot past the keeper.
That put Cambridge 2-0 ahead after an eighth minute goal by Trevor Benjamin who made it six in six games and 18 for the season.
In between the goals though Oxford had much more of the match, forcing eight corners to Cambridge's one by the 35th minute, but crucially failing to force a save from loan signing Lionel Perez of Newcastle.
Cambridge concentrated on defence in a low-key second half and the only real shot on target came from Oxford's Matt Murphy, whose 20-yarder was brilliantly saved by Perez diving full length to his right.
Cambridge had one chance to add to their score when Hansen broke clear in the 69th minute, but he was pulled down by Les Robinson, a foul which earned the Oxford skipper a yellow card.
(c) Copyright Press Association Ltd 2000
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Cambridge United splashed their way out of the relegation-zone with this crucial win over fellow strugglers Oxford.
A pre-match downpour and hailstorm saturated the Abbey Stadium pitch and referee Michael Jones only decided that the surface was playable five minutes before kick-off.
Cambridge boss Roy McFarland drafted in Nathan Laney from the under-19 side in a sharp move. His first contribution was a telling one. Scott Eustace hit a long free-kick on eight minutes which was flicked on by Laney into the path of Trevor Benjamin. He did well to control the ball and keep his feet in a puddle, allowing him to slide the ball under the advancing keeper.
The crowd had to wait until the 28th minute for anything of note to happen in a low key match influenced by the conditions. John Hansen whipped in a 28th-minute cross which was headed down by Oxford's Paul Powell and hit Phil Whelan, almost wrong-footing the keeper.
Oxford then seized control of possession for almost the remainder of the half. Despite winning a string of corners the closest they came to even forcing a save from Lionel Perez on his debut came in the 40th minute when Cook's cross bounced off Eustace and fell to Whelan, but the Oxford defender swung his foot at it and sliced badly wide from eight yards.
The match was settled a minute from the interval when Whelan's 44th-minute back pass was held up in a puddle. John Hansen seized on the ball and fired an accurate shot between the keeper and the far-post to score his first goal for the club.
The second-half followed a similar pattern with Oxford continuing to enjoy possession, but their attacks failed to trouble the home defence. Cambridge contrived to look comfortable, whilst at the same time failing to manage a shot of any description in the entire second half.
Oxford saw any hope of salvation disappear in the 75th-minute. Matt Murphy's 20-yard rasping drive was a good one, but the save from Perez was better as he palmed the ball away from the foot of his right-hand post.
The final opportunity fell to Jemson in the 92nd-minute after he was released by Anthrobus. The Oxford substitute looked offside, but was allowed to continue. It didn't matter though, as Perez saved well with his foot.
After the match Oxford boss Denis Smith blasted his defence: "We gave away an absolutely stupid goal. The one thing we said was don't back pass under any circumstances."
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THE TV news announcer could hardly have got it more wrong: "Cambridge have beaten Oxford, on dry land at least." The Abbey Stadium has never staged a soggier spectacle. Whereas the accidental arrangement of the fixture on the same day as the Boat Race was an interesting co incidence, fate conspiring to create identical conditions for the events was going a fathom too far. A ferocious hailstorm an hour before the kick-off turned the pitch into a boating lake, which with only five minutes to go to the start referee Mike Jones feared would be unplayable. The best organised and most efficient team to perform during the afternoon, Stadium manager Ian Darler's sweeper system, worked wonders to get the match on. But the weather still managed to play a decisive part in the important, if impotent relegation struggle. United were hanging on to their eighth minute lead when Oxford centre-half Phil "cloth ears" Whelan made a present of the goal which virtually decided the game as early as the 44th minute. Oxford boss Denis Smith disclosed through gritted teeth: "The one thing we emphasised before the game was that because of the conditions, nobody should try a back pass from any real distance." Ten yards outside his box Whelan aimed a pass towards his goalkeeper Richard Knight, demonstrating a sphere will not roll very far over liquid. John Hansen was on to it, recalling the days when his Viking ancestors splashed ashore on the east coast, to plunder a goal. That was it then really, everybody could have gone home at that point and missed only two notable incidents, a cynical 69th minute foul on Hansen which should have earned Oxford skipper Les Robinson a red card, and a top class, full length 75th minute save by loanee keeper Lionel Perez to stop Matt Murphy's 20-yard blaster. United defended, not very convincingly at times, for just about all the match against toothless opponents who could conjure little out of vast chunks of possession. Between the eighth and 44th minute goals, Oxford won the corner count 8-1, but failed to force Perez to do anything special to earn the reputed £9,000 a week he is collecting from Newcastle and United. And remarkably during the second 45 minutes, Roy McFarland's men, despite playing in their favourite direction, and possibly with the tide, did not unleash a single shot, either on or off target. Even the most pedantic statto would not have reached for one of the row of coloured pens in his top pocket to record the one time the ball cleared the crossbar, and the top of the stand, from Trevor Benjmamin 30 yards out, as a goal attempt. Yet in view of the crucial importance of the match, and the fact that there were six players sheltering from the cold in the Press box who would have been playing if fit -- Marshall, Russell, Mustoe, Duncan, Wilson and Kyd -- it was an understandably edgy and constricted display which nevertheless prompted relieved fans to sing "Oh Cambridge we love you." McFarland and David Preece were flinging their arms about like demented tic-tac men throughought the second half in a bid to push their players upfield, but to no avail. If you have ever wondered why there is no 6-2-2 formation in football it is because four centre-halves tend to spoil a lot of broth. Central midfielders Ian Ashbee and Paul Wanless, ultra-competitive men, spent far too much time in their own box because they wanted to be where the action was. Unfortunately it was self-fulfilling. The action was there to a large extent because they were, instead of retaining their positions further forward where they might have been able to relieve the pressure. Strangely, though, there was little tension in the air, because Oxford lacking anyone like the man who did the midweek damage, Luton power player Gary Docherty, were little short of hopeless. Tricky winger Jamie Cook toiled admirably to get the ball in the box time after time, but none of his team got near it. Smith -- just like Brentford boss-turned-scout Ron Noades in the grandstand -- must have been thinking: "if only we had Benjamin." Or even the only player likely to remember this match longer than the next day or two, teenager Nathan Lamey. Recalled from a loan spell with non-League Hitchin, the 18-year-old striker did well on his League debut until the level of competition and depth of the pitch turned his knees to jelly early in the second half. A small, but well-built, energetic, bustling player, he looked cool under pressure and confident on the ball. His future looks promising, particularly as they say he rarely misses from the penalty spot. Report © Cambridge Newspapers Ltd |
But that was exactly what centre back Whelan tried a minute before half-time. The ball predictably stopped dead in a puddle and John Hansen had the simplest of tasks in racing on to it and shooting past Richard Knight. Oxford were already trailing to an eighth-minute goal from Trevor Benjamin, but it was Whelan's error which knocked the stuffing out of them. Benjamin struck his 18th goal of the season when he reacted quickly to Nathan Lamey's flick-on at a right-wing cross. Gaining a yard on Mark Watson, he shot expertly past Knight with his left foot from ten yards. A physically-stronger Cambridge won many of the midfield battles, their former Oxford player Paul Wanless an influential figure, but the visitors were not helped in their attempts to get anything out of this crunch relegation clash by an official who took no account of the conditions. Cheshire ref Michael Jones passed the pitch fit at 2.15pm after an inspection which had followed a heavy hail-like downpour, but at 2.55 he had a change of heart. He went out on to the pitch and discussed with the groundstaff what the drainage was like because there were large areas of water on the pitch, and the players had shown during the kick-in that the ball either stopped dead or skidded off the wet surface at an unbelievable rate of knots. However, something or someone persuaded him to give it a go. In the first half hour it looked like the wrong decision. It was impossible to run with the ball and players would sometimes have three kicks at it before it moved its circumference. So it seemed bizarre that Mr Jones should make no allowance for the slippery surface as he booked first Whelan and then Watson for tackles when they won the ball before their sliding momentum took them through to make contact with their opponent. Watson's yellow card, when he won a completely clean tackle on Lamey, was scandalous. From the eighth minute, though, the visitors were chasing the game. They forced a succession of corners, and from one of many good deliveries from Jamie Cook, Steve Anthrobus got in a shot on the turn that Whelan diverted with his head just wide. Whelan also went close in the second half, trying to make amends for his dreadful backpass which had come at the worst possible moment, just before the break. He directed a header straight into French keeper Lionel Perez's arms from a cross by Derek Lilley, and then fired a follow-up effort wide when Perez fumbled a 20-yard drive by an otherwise subdued Matt Murphy. Oxford worked hard to get back into the game after the break and the lively Cook cut in menacingly from the right and drove a few feet over the bar. But Denis Smith's team never really looked likely to break through until the 90th minute when Anthrobus touched the ball through to substitute Nigel Jemson, who raced clear but saw his shot saved well by Perez's feet. Again there was a follow-up shot, this time from Cook, but again the ball was driven wide. If Watson's and Whelan's bookings were harsh, Oxford skipper Les Robinson was lucky not to get red. He blatantly brought down Hansen when he burst through on the left. Hansen was the last man, but the ref must have taken into account that he was heading away from goal, and he showed Robbo just a yellow card. Cambridge gave Oxford no chance to build up any rhythm by doing everything quickly themselves, but they looked ordinary at best. Yet they had a much greater physical presence, a much more dangerous striker in Benjamin, and unlike Oxford's, their defence gave nothing away. For the good-size U's following, the fact that Oxford had won the Boat Race at last came as no consolation. Indeed, for the many who had placed a bet at 10-1 that Oxford would do the double, it only made it worse.
Report © Oxford Mail |
Starting line-up:
Subs: Van Heusden, Preece, Taylor, Abbey, Chenery.
Nathan Lamey getting a first team call up, he scored a penalty in a reserve game so perhaps that is why he starts the game! Perez at number 24, with a different design of goalkeepers shirt with short sleeves, and no special goalkeeper shorts with padding down the side. Perhaps I should offer him my pair!
We forced the play in the opening minutes, a poor punch out by their 'keeper from a long throw gave Mackenzie a chance to lob the ball back but he put it over, then from a free kick out wide Ashbee headed over too. Oxford got a free kick right on the edge in the centre of our penalty area after 3 minutes, quite what for I don't know, but they managed to put the kick well wide of our goal.
We took the lead after 7 minutes, a cross was headed down by Wanless to the unmarked Benjamin to shoot across the 'keeper and into the far side of the goal. Oxford seemed to want to shoot on sight, but luckily for us they managed to get few on target. On 27 minutes we almost scored again, a cross into their area was headed away by a defender, but the clearance hit another defender and rebounded towards their goal where their 'keeper made a good diving save. Benjamin was subjected to a late tackle from behind which resulted in a booking for the Oxford defender, from the free kick Mackenzie shot into the side netting.
Oxford were putting us under some pressure with a series of corners, they almost scored when a clearance by Eustace inside the 6 yard area went all of 2 yards to an Oxford player who then scuffed his shot wide. Lamey was getting little change from his defender, but was tackled from behind for another Oxford booking. Just before half time a back pass from a defender got stuck in the water which allowed Hansen to nip in and shoot past their 'keeper for his first goal for United, and we ended the half 2-0 up.
Early in the second half Lamey had a chance to run for the ball, but was easily beaten. He looked knackered and was replaced by Taylor after 8 minutes. From a long pass out of defence Hansen beat the last defender but was tripped as he went past about 30 yards from goal. The referee booked the defender, the angle of Hansens run was towards the corner, and so it was the correct decision as he was not heading towards goal, although most other fans would disagree!
Perez had to make a few easy saves, but after 29 minutes a long shot looked as if it would creep in at the base of the post but he got across and pushed the ball away for a fine save. Hansen was replaced by Abbey for the last 7 minutes. Perez had another save to make in the 46th minutes, but where all the extra time came from I don't know, the referee played 48 minutes in the second half but I can't remember either trainer coming on.
This was a pretty poor performance by us, but the result is everything. We couldn't seem to clear the ball with any distance when it was needed, which put us under more pressure, but when a short pass was required the ball went too far! Oxford were no better than us, I guess they are near the bottom because they can't score goals when they get the chance. Obviously the water on the pitch didn't help, but it was the same for both teams. The referee was extremely picky, seemed to find fouls where none existed, didn't let the game flow and any 50 50 balls seemed to go Oxford's way.
Perez had a reasonable game, a poor kick out and a weak punch went unpunished. Joseph at left full back had a poor game, the other 3 in the back line were even worse! The midfield were OK, but the wide men struggled with the conditions, never knowing quite how far the ball was going. Benjamin held the front line but got little from the big Oxford defender Whelan. Lamey (who is about the same height as Kyd) got even less. Lamey showed some good touches, but didn't really get into the game. Taylor put over a good cross, but did little else.
Terry
Wilby |
With all the injuries and enforced changes I said before the game I'd be happy with a result any which way it came. And it did!
It was a fairly scrappy performance from both sides. We were the better side for the opening quarter (as often seems to happen) and made quite a few chances, one of which Trevor put away. Then we lost the plot a bit and Oxford put us under pressure, once again we had trouble clearing the ball effectively. Just as we were looking a bit vulnerable John Hansen popped up to notch his first ever for the club - he was very happy about it!
That really killed the game - United were content to sit on their lead, rather too deeply again at times, Oxford made a few chances but were as adept at blowing them as we were at messing up our clearances. The back four were calmer than at Luton, and we managed to re-establish some control later in the half, keeping the ball in the Oxford half for an extended period.
I thought Nathan did well on his debut against some physical marking. Unfortunately this was not the surface on which to exploit what looked like some impressive acceleration, as through balls either skidded on or stopped up completely. One for the future. (6/10)
Benjamin did well first half but faded in the second, the number of matches may be telling on him as he gets a lot of physical attention every game. A week off should do him good. (6/10)
Shaggy did not do much after his introduction but did bring some organisation to a team that was beginning to look a bit ragged. (5/10)
Mackenzie had one of his worse games - I wonder if he would have played so soom after a bad knock if there had been more fit players available. To be fair the pitch did not suit his strengths of good close control and short passing, as the surface water on the outer 1/3rds of the pitch made tight football almost impossible. He also flinched noticeably from some headers and aerial challenges. (5/10)
Hansen also found the wide conditions difficult and is also still not getting onto the other players' wavelengths, with a high proportion of wasted ball. He obviously has the skill to do well and will be a real asset next year. (6/10, including a bonus for getting on the scoresheet!)
Wanny and Ash were great in midfield as usual, combative and strong. We suffered in one way, that our ball players were out wide in the marsh, whilst the drier areas where a pass could be played effectively were the territory of the players with less 'silky' skills. I spotted mackenzie coming inside a few time to play passes second half, presumably huntig for dry land! (Wanny 7/10), Ash 8/10)
Kavanagh struggled again, as at Luton - I'm not convinced he is back to full fitness yet. He depends on superior speed and reactions to make up for lack of height and strength, but in this game he was passed quite regularly, from the middle of the first half onwards. (4/10)
Scott and Martin were OK, not pulled about as badly as at Luton (but then the Oxford forwards were not as good in terms of movement as the Hatters') and some shouting from Perez helped steady them at times. Their defending at corners was better than the last couple of times I have seen them, but distribution was again poor, and a couple of clearances were dreadful, for instance the one that Scott did nearly gifting a goal to Oxford. Still, they coped better under presure than on Tuesday. (Scott 6/10, McNeil 5/10)
Marc did OK at left back too, it's obviously not his prefered position and he gets sucked inside too often, but he's doing a reasonable job in an unfamiliar role. (5/10)
Perez was great, winding up the Oxford fans and obviously relishing his first competitive fixture of the season. I know he must be costing us a bob or two, but he must be desperate to prove a point to Bobby Robson and get a transfer bid in - I think he is going to be a great asset for the run-in and may turn out to be the difference between the drop and staying up. His kicking was a bit erratic, but his general distribution was good. He does not fully command the box, but is still more dominant than Ise or Marshall. Most importantly, he brings an air of confidence to a very inexperienced back line, which made a noticeable difference. (6/10)
Overall, 6/10 for a gutsy if patchy performance, and 10/10 for the result.
Oxford looked classier in the middle of the park than us, but lacked punch up front and were ponderous and physical at the back. I thought they were lucky to get away with one or two tackles, but can count themselves unfortunate to lose 2-0 after just having the majority of the play. I think, given their reasonable run-in, that they have a chance as good as ours of staying up.
The ref was OK, if a bit weak and fussy. He gave a couple of strange free kicks against us near the edge of the box, which fortunately Oxford could not exploit. He was also quite lenient with their centrebacks pushing and pulling, but all in all an OK performance (6/10).
3 points for the U's - we ARE staying up!!
Nick
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The weather in the morning was very nice, by lunchtime it had clouded over then the heavens opened with lots of rail and hail, but by 2ish it had turned nice again. However the amount of rain meant a lot of work for the groundstaff to clear water from the pitch with squeegee blades to make it playable before kick-off, even so there were areas of standing water which meant that playing the ball on the ground would become a bit of a lottery. Who remembers Colin Baillie scoring against Tranmere when their 'keeper threw the ball out only for it to stick in the water and give Colin a chance to curl the ball in a few years ago?
