This afternoon’s match against Wycombe Wanderers summed up Oxford United’s season. For the majority of the game Oxford were terrific and outplayed their opposition, storming into a two goal lead. The Oxford Mail was rocking under the April sunshine, while the Wycombe promotion party had gone deathly silent.
Then, seemingly out of nowhere, disaster struck. Having got ourselves into this comfortable lead, we then proceeded to throw it away in a shambolic manner. In the space of four minutes, Wycombe had drawn level. Once more, Oxford United had shot themselves in the foot. This unfortunately means that we will ultimately fall short in our quest for that hotly contested play-off spot (especially as results went against us today).
A failure to close out games, inconsistency and lapses of concentration in defence are the three chief reasons why Oxford United will be playing League 2 football once again next year. In short, they only have themselves to blame.
Back to the game today; it was a fantastic encounter. As ever, Oxford sought to take the game to their opponents and refreshingly for an away team, Wycombe had a similar mentality. As I explained earlier, Oxford were brilliant in the first half and created a host of chances, Alfie Potter eventually breaking the deadlock with a sublime strike into the top corner. Despite this, the away team would have gone in level at half time level were it not for a stunning double save by the ever-reliable Ryan Clarke.
Oxford began the second half with the same intensity as the first and quickly doubled their lead thanks to an own goal by Wycombe centre-half, Dave Winfield. This strapping centre-back, who endured a torrid afternoon, is another one of those footballers who is highly fortunate to be playing at a professional level.
After this goal, though, Oxford United froze. Perhaps the players thought they had done enough to guarantee the three points. Either way, the next twenty minutes was an absolute horror show. First, an unmarked Scott Rendell headed in a cross from substitute Jon-Paul Pitman to pull one back for the visitors. Then, four minutes later Pitman turned provider to goalscorer, as he was given time in the box to volley a shot home. A hammer blow to Oxford United’s season, but a crucial one to Wycombe’s promotion challenge.
Even this could not galvanise the home side and a third goal for the Chairboys seemed imminent. Thankfully, we did not concede again during this passage of endless pressure and with ten minutes remaining on the clock, Oxford finally found their feet again which resulted in an absorbing end to the match. Indeed, Oxford would have won it at the end were it not for a fabulous save from the Wycombe keeper, Nikki Bull from a fizzing Tom Craddock strike.
Still, with Wycombe seemingly destined for League 1 and Swindon almost certainly coming down, at least we might get a proper local derby next year.
Man of the match: Alfie Potter
