Tuesday 4th March 2008 - Oxford 1-2 U's: Hubble bubble, Boylan's double trouble

A bronze ox. That is the latest addition to Oxford's Kassam Stadium, an unlovely concrete edifice in an unlovely industrial park near a fairly lovely city, even if it a Cambridge ripoff. The ox, a 'Work of Art' as the programme stated proudly, guards the entrance to the ground on a marble plinth, and very impressive it looks too. But Oxford have not as yet addressed their ground's most fundamental problem: it still has only three sides.

No doubt it is money that is stopping them from constructing that much-needed fourth stand. But in the meantime, you would think they would have brainstormed something constructive to do with that yawning gap at one end.

Perhaps they should tear down the fence so that the occupants of the car park could see the pitch, thereby creating the country's first drive-in football ground? Or they could stage a Wild Shot Raffle, where the occupant of the first car to be hit by a stray shot could win a cash prize, which would go towards repairing the damage made by the shot in the first place. Or, given the dreariness of their season so far, they could erect a film screen at that end and show something more exciting, like say 'Escape To Victory,' although that might lead to confusion if the real ball hit the screen just as Sylvester Stallone was making one of his many Gordon Banks-like diving saves. Just a thought...

In the meantime, it remains the most expensive ground to visit in this league (£18 on the door, £16 in advance) but at least it affords an excellent view and positively huge toilet facilities. The matchday programme was also expensive at £2.70, only 10p behind that of Exeter, but it was well worth the money with unusual features like a wistful look at what is now on the site of the old Manor Ground, the most immodestly named correspondent in the league in 'Fantastic Mr Ox,' our old friend 'Elton Welsby's World Of Cheese,' and a bizarre questionnaire to striker Justin Richards in which he was handed a (metaphorical, I hope) gun containing four bullets and invited to tell us which Spice Girl he WOULDN'T shoot. Just line 'em up head to head, mate, one bullet should be more than adequate.

The Oxford U's have had a diabolical season by their own promotion-hopeful standards, studded with embarrassing defeats to the likes of Histon, Droylsden, Northwich, Weymouth and Salisbury and a 5-0 tonking at Rushden, which hastened the booting upstairs of dear old Jim Smith and the taking over of the reins by his former assistant, Darren Patterson. Oxford had in fact lost only twice at home all season, although they had drawn more than they won, and peculiarly, boasted the second-best defensive record in the division after ourselves, their problem being that having conceded 35 goals, they had only scored 34. Erstwhile top scorer and ex-U Robert Duffy has been loaned out to Wrexham, where he is doing his best to ensure that the Welshmen join his employers in the BSP next season.

It was a chilly night but that had not deterred almost five hundred travellers from God's own county, and they were in fine voice in an arena whose 'home' areas were dominated by vast swathes of empty seating. Their heroes' line-up showed only one change from the victory over York on Saturday, Dan Gleeson returning from suspension to replace the injured Stephen Reed. Gleeson's fellow former suspendees, Michael Morrison and Mark Peters, had to be content with places on the bench following the impressive recent showing of the back three of Albrighton, Coulson and Hatswell.

Rob Wolleaston, Wayne Hatswell and Courtney Pitt were all facing one of their former clubs and the latter in particular looked up for it against a hostile home crowd, as he had to be with a marking job to do on the hosts' fleet-footed right-winger Eddie Anaclet. He was the instigator of United's first chance on 7, cutting inside and heading for goal before laying off to Mark Beesley, whose intelligent through ball found Lee Boylan, and although his shot was blocked, it fell for Pitt who had continued his run into the box, but he scuffed his shot narrowly wide.

Early exchanges remained cagey, Oxford looking like a decent short-passing side and not the crisis club that one might have imagined, while Paul Carden worked tirelessly in front of his back three to win possession and free his colleagues to probe forward in search of target man Lee McEvilly and the scampering Boylan.

It was Boylan who was Oxford's nemesis at the Abbey in August, firing home a last-minute winner through a crowded box in front of Setanta's watching dozens, and on 16 he did it again. Wolleaston was the creator, cutting inside onto his right foot out on the left and arrowing over a perfect cross to Boylan's head; the wee man was a good twelve yards out, but his powerful, looping header soared over our old chum Billy Turley in the home goal and into the net. 1-0!

If United thought they could now relax on the way to a comfortable victory over mid-table opposition, they were very much mistaken, and Oxford were level a mere two minutes later. So much for the best two defences in the league.

The build-up was basic, a hopeful long ball to fleet-footed striker Matt Green ten yards outside the box in the right channel, but he out-jumped Josh Coulson, sped past him and faced with only Wayne Hatswell between him and goal on the edge of the area, he side-stepped neatly and in one movement fired a superb shot with the outside of his right foot low into the far left corner as Danny Potter could only stand and watch. Great finish, poor goal to concede: 1-1.

United attempted to respond immediately and gained a couple of corners. The second one was half-cleared to Carden midway into the hosts' half and he foraged forward before scudding a low shot just past the far post from twenty yards. Gleeson then almost found Beesley lurking beyond the far post with a long cross, but the U's could not capitalise from the ensuing flag-kick.

After that United seemed to lose some momentum and Oxford, with their patient passing game and lively front two of Green and Craig McAllister, began to get on top without really threatening Potter's goal. In contrast, the magnificent U's support only seemed to gain in strength as their singing and chanting dominated the stadium for the rest of the half, one rendition of 'Yellow And Black Army' seeming to last longer than the extended Bassline remix of 'Bohemian Rhapsody.' What do you mean, you haven't heard it yet?

McEvilly set up Boylan for a shot on 29 which he trundled into Turley's arms, while a long run from deep from Anaclet on 38 failed to result in a goal attempt, and the game seemed to be drifting into the sort of stalemate that we might have expected from two such mean defences at the start.

There was one scare, however, on 41 when Adam Murray's cross to the far post was fumbled by Potter in a crowded box and United had to get some bodies in the way before McAllister eventually headed wide. But that was the last major incident of a half in which Oxford had performed better than expected, while United had underachieved after conceding that equaliser and would need to move up a gear in part two if they were to keep the pressure on Aldershot.

JQ proved that he didn't sleep through all those UEFA coaching courses by making a decisive change for the second half. Beesley, although having enjoyed a decent 45, was withdrawn in favour of Ben Farrell as the U's changed from 3-5-2 to 4-4-2, Farrell going wide right, Gleeson to right-back and Hatswell to the opposite flank. Flat-Cap Jimmy must have considered that Oxford had had too much of a run in midfield and it needed beefing up, despite the noteworthy contribution there of Carden. Wolleaston had looked subdued and Beesley was stationed so far forward that the hosts had found a lot of space in which to work behind him.

Farrell has that happy knack of settling into a side immediately, no matter where or who he is playing, and looked assured and confident from the get-go, while Pitt was relishing the chance to play in his most natural position, that of a good old-fashioned winger.

There had been no needle in the match thus far and ref Kinseley had been barely noticeable, but he was lenient on Green when he flattened Hatswell within a couple of minutes of the restart. There was no immediate change in the pattern of the game, however, as both sides continued to push and probe at each other like shy polar bears in the mating season. If there are any shy polar bears.

Short passing was the order of the day from both sides, although they did mix it up with McEvilly a target for the visitors for flick-ons or hold-ups and Boylan always willing to run into space, while Green and McAllister remained on their toes for any through balls that might come their way. But the defences remained dominant, young Josh Coulson particularly impressive with his resolution and concentration, and nothing got past him.

It would take a moment of supreme quality to break the deadlock, and on 58 that was just what the U's front two produced. McEvilly gained possession near halfway and held off his opponent as he bustled forward, the ball glued to his toe. He saw Boylan ahead of him, making a darting run from right to left across the box, and his through ball was exquisite, allowing the U's goal poacher to turn in one movement and lift a marvellous left-footed shot past Turley and into the top right corner before the keeper could move. Super goal: 2-1!

Four in two for the master marksman. There was a little concern when the linesman indicated that he wanted a word with the ref as United celebrated, but there was nothing wrong with the goal. However, McEvilly was cautioned for some taunting words he apparently said to Turley, the poor, sensitive little flower. Perhaps the ref should have called time out so he could go off and powder his nose.

The amber hordes were in full bounce mode, but Oxford almost responded again within a couple of minutes when a buzzing Anaclet run and cross found McAllister in the D, but Potter was equal to his low drive with an excellent dive low to his left to stop and gather.

Patterson wasted no time in ringing the changes, introducing Yemi Odubade and Justin Richards on 63 for Anaclet and Michael Blackwood to leave his side to all intents and purposes with four attackers on the pitch. Battle would now be gained in earnest.

Matt Day picked up the hosts' first yellow card on 65 for felling McEvilly, to whom Oxford seemed to have no legal answer, and Big Mac fired over a minute later. But pressure now began to bear on the visitors' goal as United's two banks of four put up a stout resistance.

Green crossed to Murray on 77 but his shot was blocked by Hatswell, then Hand blasted for goal but saw his effort cannon off Coulson's chest six yards out, and he hammered his follow-up mercifully over. Then Pitt was booked for a foul on Odubade, and the siege really started.

The next couple of minutes made '300' look like a gentle game of tag. Michael Howard swung the free-kick over from the right and it was met full-on by centre-back Luke Foster, whose header was arrowing under the bar until brilliantly tipped over by Potter. The ensuing short corner was threaded out to Murray just outside the box in the left channel, and in the absence of any immediate challenge he aimed a careful curler for the inside of the far post, but again that man Potter threw himself across to tip behind.

The next corner from the right was taken by Hand and found Foster rising at the far post, but his downward header was scrambled from inside the six-yard box by Potter and his assistants for yet another flag-kick. This time Murray's effort from the left - by now the United defence should have been wearing hard hats and shouting 'Incoming!' - was palmed, then fumbled by Potter, and it was left to Pitt on the line at the far post to head clear. In the ensuing melee Gleeson was fouled and stayed down for treatment and a much-needed breather for his team-mates. Phew.

After this tremendous demonstration of resilience, Oxford seemed spent. Boylan was booked on 84 for a clumsy foul on Howard and four minutes later was replaced by Jack Jeffery. One more moment of danger remained from the hosts, on 90, as Day dug out a cross from the right touchline and it dropped right on to Richards' head, but Potter was there again to fling himself upward and tip over from just under the bar. Not your day, Oxes.

Four minutes added time was indicated and most of it was taken up with some splendidly inventive possession play in the corners, first from McEvilly and Farrell on the right, then from Pitt and Jeffery on the left, Pitt even finding time for some mischievous Cristiano Ronaldo multi-stepover action, which must have really delighted his former fans in the home stands.

Then it was all over, and the team celebrated this most hard-fought of victories with their gleeful followers, who had spurred them on in such inspirational style. They even warmed down on the pitch to share the moment together. Aah. Group hug!

With this sort of collective spirit, this club seems capable of almost anything. A first win in Oxford for thirty years, for instance. Catching Aldershot? Only time will tell. But it's going to be one hell of a ride. Who needs Alton Towers when you've got the Abbey Power?

Statto Corner
Another hoodoo is broken. The U's of Cambridge and Oxford have competed in the same division twelve times since they first met in the Southern League campaign of 1961-62, following which Oxford were elected to the Football League in place of Accrington Stanley. The only time Cambridge had done the 'double' over their 'Varsity rivals' was back in the 1977-78 season, the last time they won in Oxford, triumphing 3-2 at the Manor Ground on 11th January 1978 with goals from Willie Watson, Sammy Morgan and Tom Finney.

Nine visits to Oxon since then had yielded four draws and five defeats, and United had never won at the Kassam Stadium. Conversely, however, Oxford have doubled us only once, in 1994-95.

Oxford manager Darren Patterson played one game for the (real) U's as a trialist on 20th July 2002. He played in a back four with Stev Angus, Scott Eustace and Terry Fleming as United won 3-2 at Histon with goals from Shane Tudor, Luke Guttridge and Omer Riza.

The last United player before Lee Boylan to score more than one goal in two consecutive games was Robbie Simpson, who grabbed a hat-trick at Northwich in a 4-0 win before notching a brace in the 7-0 drubbing of Weymouth in March last year.

Player Ratings
Potter 9. Brilliant, point-winning saves.
Albrighton 8. As reliable as ever.
Coulson 8. Another excellent performance from the youngster, dealing with everything thrown at him with strength and decisiveness.
Hatswell 7. Not the greatest game by his own high standards, but did a perfectly good job in two different positions.
Gleeson 7. Brought balance to the side in the first half and did fine at right-back in the second.
Wolleaston 7. United's quietest player, but played his part.
Carden 9. The amount of work this guy gets through is phenomenal.
Pitt 8. Splendid job at wing-back and left-wing, and didn't he love putting one over his old club.
Beesley 7. Useful first half and unlucky to be sacrificed due to the system change.
Boylan 9. The little goal machine has stepped up to the plate in tremendous style. Great timing.
McEvilly 9. As good a target man as has been seen in black'n'amber in many a long year. Created the first goal with his own strength and skill.

Farrell 8. Slotted in immediately in an unfamiliar position, as if he had played there all his life. What the hell was a player of this quality doing at Bedford??
Jeffery 7. Did an excellent job in the closing minutes to keep possession and run the clock down.

Match Summary
You can switch the players, you can switch the formation, but United are now solidly in the winning groove and another gritty performance with inspiration at both ends was enough to snatch the points from a decent Oxford side. The chase is on!

Man of the Match
Danny Potter. Breathtaking saves when the going got tough to break Oxford hearts and secure the three points. Proof positive that keepers can be match-winners as much as goalscorers.

Ref Watch
Kinseley 7. Gave a few soft free-kicks, but was mostly unobtrusive and all the better for it.

Non-League Player's Name of the Week
Walton Casuals' Nana Badu. Aren't there some records by her in the World Music section at HMV?

Soundtrack of the Day
Hatcham Social 'So So Happy Making'

The MP3 Files
Mark Peters lends an ear to the KassStad sounds. "When I was a lad of sixteen or so, my mates and I loved to dress up in denim with loads of patches and headbang the night away to Dai The Dandruff's Heavy Rock Night at the Clwb Bwgi in Pontybodkin, and the greatest band around at that time was Guns N'Roses. I even tried to perm my hair and wore round shades and a stovepipe hat with a fag hanging out of my mouth to try to look like Slash, but I soon gave that up when Bethan Ffyllyps laughed at me! So it was great to hear the sides come out tonight to 'Welcome To The Jungle,' surely one of the greatest Rock songs ever written.

"It was also nice to hear that lovely Welsh songbird, Duffy, belting out her number one hit, and Franz Ferdinand and the Zutons are perfectly acceptable modern toe-tappers. I can take or leave Gnarls Barkley and the Sugababes, to be honest, while Scouting For Girls just sound like Supertramp for the under-nines. And, Oxford, if you're going to play 'Don't Stop Me Now', please play the classic original by Queen and not the feeble cover version by those twerps McFly! So, overall, a bit of a mixed bag, then. But rock on, Dai The Dandruff, wherever you might be now! Hwyl!" MP3 verdict: 7/10

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