Battling Draw Provides Festive Cheer

A scrappy 0-0 on a boggy mud bath in the North-West of England is not a result that immediately catches the eye. It does not point to a classic encounter filled with goal-mouth action. Jeff Stelling, on Gillette Soccer Saturday, barely mentioned the result at the Globe Arena. The rest of the world, it seemed, were far too excited about that evening's 'El Clasico' to care about proceedings at a chilly, wind-swept ground in Morecambe.

But we're happy. Fans of Oxford United are delighted about the dour 0-0 in Morecambe. Finally, after a miserable run of five defeats, the U's have halted the rut. Moreover, this is a decent result whatever the circumstances. Morecambe are the Stoke City of League 2; physical, fit and difficult to break down. Not many teams turn the Shrimps over at the Globe Arena.

Perhaps Morecambe were unfortunate not to win the game. Their spritely centre-forward, Lewis Alessandra went close with three long-range drives. Oxford had their chances too, though; a rasping Damian Batt shot from outside the box in the second-half was smartly saved by Shrimps captain Barry Roche. In a game of few chances, a goal-less draw seemed a fair result.

The highlight of the game from an Oxford United perspective was the return to first team action of Adam 'Chappers' Chapman. The Northern Irishman had last appeared for United at Wembley in the play-off final in May 2010, after which he broke down in tears on the pitch. Chapman was subsequently sentenced to prison for causing death by dangerous driving. He was released from prison in September this year, yet he then sustained a foot injury which had prevented him from making a first-team appearance since then.

So while the rest of the world turned their attention to the Bernabeau and all the glamour and showboating that comes with it, Oxford United fans could relax in the knowledge that their team had picked up a battling draw on a mud bath in Morecambe.