I was not able to make Saturday’s home match against Aldershot as I was sunning myself in Italy. However, reports from my Dad and younger brother were disappointingly negative. Having enjoyed such a fantastic win over arch-rivals Swindon Town the previous week, I had hoped that we would pick apart Aldershot Town on Saturday. It was thus very depressing to learn that we had once again drawn 1-1 at home in a match that we ought to have won.
The Shots had been reduced to ten men after ten minutes. Fifteen minutes later, United had gone ahead. Aldershot were apparently a very questionable footballing outfit and looked jaded following their Carling Cup heroics at Upton Park earlier in the week. We should have stepped on the gas and finished them off, but Oxford did not attack with any real purpose; the football was pedestrian and deeply frustrating for the United fans to endure.
Instead of taking the game to their weakened opponents, Oxford sat back and retreated into their shell, in the hope of holding on to their slight advantage. The negative tactics did not succeed and sure enough the Shots drew level through Luke Guttridge.
Wilder’s team selection also raised a few eyebrows. No Potter. No Batt. Instead, the lightweight and ineffectual Lewis Guy and half-fit, has-been Andrew Whing were handed starting places. Potter and Batt were both later introduced, but far too late to have any real impact on the game. In Batt’s case, his confidence has been clearly shattered. An exciting full-back with real attacking purpose, selected for the League 2 team of the year after the last campaign, one can only hope that Wilder reinstates him and that he quickly regains his form. Moreover, there is no evidence yet to suggest that any of the new signings, with the exception of Michael Duberry, are any better than their replacements. Deane Smalley or Sam Deering? Lewis Guy or Jack Midson? Deering and Midson please.
One supporter summed up the feeling amongst United supporters with this post on the Rage Online forum:
Note to Chris Wilder:
Dear Chris.
Please take the handcuffs off this team.
Yours
A concerned Oxford United fan.
Wednesday 31 August 2011
Swine Downed by Oxford's Jumping Bean
This was put on the Rage Online website, but here it is:
Nine years we have waited. Ever since journeyman Jefferson Louis bundled home Scott McGiven’s long-throw, back in December 2002, all supporters of Oxford United have been desperate to lock horns once more with their arch-rivals, Swindon Town. The wait has been long and painful. For exactly a decade, Oxford have languished in leagues below the Robins. While United played host to Droylsden and Barrow, Town entertained the likes of Leeds United and Sheffield Wednesday. In one dramatic season, however, everything changed. Oxford tasted success at Wembley in the 2010 Conference play-off final, while days later, in the League One play-off final, Swindon suffered an agonising defeat. Swindon never recovered from this loss. With crucial players departing and a change of manager proving ineffectual, they slipped into League 2 the following season. This meant the first league meeting between these two bitter rivals since the 10th of March 2001.
At 11.00am Oxford station was a sea of yellow. The chanting had already begun as 900 boarded the special ‘football train’ to enemy terrain. There was a real sense of excitement and a buzz of anticipation. Derby day was back. Forget Wycombe, Cheltenham or Northampton. This was the big one.
Once in Swindon, the Oxford faithful were shepherded out of the station by a mass of efficient police. The escorted walk was boisterous, with the United fans in fine voice. Soon the stadium was in sight and the noise levels increased, Oxford United were back at the County Ground.
Swindon's home is a classic old-school English football stadium with retro turnstiles and, quite frankly, disgusting toilets which reeked unpleasantly of urine. There is one uncovered stand behind the goal, the Stratton Bank. This was where the two and a half thousand Oxford United fans had gathered, with a smattering seated in the Arkell’s Stand.
With ten minutes to go before kick-off, the County Ground was a cauldron of noise with both sets of rival supporters bellowing songs at one another. Assistant manager Micky Lewis was out on the pitch urging on the Oxford fans, punching his fist in the air. Amid the din, the two teams emerged from the tunnel to a cry of ‘yellows, yellows, yellows’ from the away supporters. Experienced veteran Michael Duberry went round patting his team-mates encouragingly on the back. Finally, referee Mark Haywood got the game underway.
The first few minutes were unsurprisingly cagey with players from both sides looking nervous. Oxford had the first clear sight on goal with a cross intended for James Constable following a mazy run from wing-wizard Alfie Potter.
Minutes later, Oxford gloriously went ahead. A whipped corner from the effortlessly talented Peter Leven was met by Constable at the near post, who powered his header home. United’s talisman wheeled away and kissed the Oxford badge, to dispel any rumours, cheekily started this week by Swindon boss Mr. Di Canio, that Constable was a Swindon fan. The away end went absolutely potty.
Once ahead, Oxford went into their shell and spent the next ten minutes absorbing constant Swindon pressure. Leon Clarke flashed a fizzing left-foot shot inches wide of his namesake’s goal. The on-loan striker was then presented with another opportunity to put Swindon level, but sent a header wide of the goal. That ought to have been Oxford’s wake up call. As it was, only eight minutes after Constable’s opener, Swindon were level. Alfie Potter was dispossessed near the corner flag by the impressive Callum Kennedy who swung in an inviting ball for Matt Ritchie to head into Ryan Clarke’s net. This led to the eccentric and passionate Paolo Di Canio celebrating wildly down the touchline, waving his arms at the Swindon fans, while Town’s galumphing centre-back, Aden Flint, ran straight to the Oxford fans punching his fist in the air. The derby game had come to life.
Swindon were now well on top and the skilful Raffaele De Vita (clearly a Di Canio import) nearly wriggled himself free of the United defence to put the home side ahead. Swindon then had a golden opportunity to send Di Canio on a repeat of his crazy celebrations. Another dangerous Callum Kennedy cross was met by Flint, whose volley was remarkably saved at point-blank range by Ryan Clarke. Swindon ought to have gone in ahead at the break, but in a dramatic finale to the half it was the U’s who took the lead.
In a carbon copy of the first goal, a Leven cross, from a free kick, was helped home by Constable. As with the first goal, the celebration was manic at the Oxford end.
A pulsating first half ended in true derby fashion with a scuffle involving almost every player on the pitch, before Mr. Haywood clearly thought that enough was enough and blew for half time.
If the first half was exciting and dramatic, the second half was nervy and tense. Once more, Di Canio was in the thick of things. Ten minutes into the second half, an offside decision enraged the outspoken Italian so much that Mr. Haywood sent him to the stands. If Di Canio was angry before then Leon Clarke’s failure to find the net from only ten yards out would have left him utterly incensed. Oxford were still struggling to take the game to Swindon, despite hauling off the disappointing Lewis Guy and below par Simon Heslop for Deane Smalley and Asa Hall respectively. Andrew Whing, strangely keeping the excellent Damien Batt amongst the substitutes, was also having a torrid time at right-back. The introduction of Swindon’s Spanish winger, Lander Gabilondo, was causing the well-travelled defender all sorts of trouble. Gabilondo was unlucky not to score after having a rasping shot expertly saved by the ever reliable Clarke in goal.
With ten minutes to go United were still in the lead. The tension in the away end had now been replaced by thunderous chants, with the fans desperate to see Oxford over the finishing line. A mighty Duberry header was chased down by the hungry Constable who bore down on the Swindon goal and almost sealed the tie, but was denied his hat-trick by the left hand of Swindon keeper, Phil Smith. We were in to stoppage time. Swindon lofted countless balls into Oxford’s penalty box, but United defended resolutely. In the last minute of stoppage time Gabilondo flashed one last shot that whizzed past the right post. It was not to be Swindon’s day. The glory was to be Oxford’s.
Mr. Haywood, who had had a poor game, blew for full time and the Oxford fans let out a deafening cry. A decade of agony, playing second fiddle to their rivals from down the road, had at last been quashed, thanks to a brilliant brace from our very own 'Swindon Town fan.'
Nine years we have waited. Ever since journeyman Jefferson Louis bundled home Scott McGiven’s long-throw, back in December 2002, all supporters of Oxford United have been desperate to lock horns once more with their arch-rivals, Swindon Town. The wait has been long and painful. For exactly a decade, Oxford have languished in leagues below the Robins. While United played host to Droylsden and Barrow, Town entertained the likes of Leeds United and Sheffield Wednesday. In one dramatic season, however, everything changed. Oxford tasted success at Wembley in the 2010 Conference play-off final, while days later, in the League One play-off final, Swindon suffered an agonising defeat. Swindon never recovered from this loss. With crucial players departing and a change of manager proving ineffectual, they slipped into League 2 the following season. This meant the first league meeting between these two bitter rivals since the 10th of March 2001.
At 11.00am Oxford station was a sea of yellow. The chanting had already begun as 900 boarded the special ‘football train’ to enemy terrain. There was a real sense of excitement and a buzz of anticipation. Derby day was back. Forget Wycombe, Cheltenham or Northampton. This was the big one.
Once in Swindon, the Oxford faithful were shepherded out of the station by a mass of efficient police. The escorted walk was boisterous, with the United fans in fine voice. Soon the stadium was in sight and the noise levels increased, Oxford United were back at the County Ground.
Swindon's home is a classic old-school English football stadium with retro turnstiles and, quite frankly, disgusting toilets which reeked unpleasantly of urine. There is one uncovered stand behind the goal, the Stratton Bank. This was where the two and a half thousand Oxford United fans had gathered, with a smattering seated in the Arkell’s Stand.
With ten minutes to go before kick-off, the County Ground was a cauldron of noise with both sets of rival supporters bellowing songs at one another. Assistant manager Micky Lewis was out on the pitch urging on the Oxford fans, punching his fist in the air. Amid the din, the two teams emerged from the tunnel to a cry of ‘yellows, yellows, yellows’ from the away supporters. Experienced veteran Michael Duberry went round patting his team-mates encouragingly on the back. Finally, referee Mark Haywood got the game underway.
The first few minutes were unsurprisingly cagey with players from both sides looking nervous. Oxford had the first clear sight on goal with a cross intended for James Constable following a mazy run from wing-wizard Alfie Potter.
Minutes later, Oxford gloriously went ahead. A whipped corner from the effortlessly talented Peter Leven was met by Constable at the near post, who powered his header home. United’s talisman wheeled away and kissed the Oxford badge, to dispel any rumours, cheekily started this week by Swindon boss Mr. Di Canio, that Constable was a Swindon fan. The away end went absolutely potty.
Once ahead, Oxford went into their shell and spent the next ten minutes absorbing constant Swindon pressure. Leon Clarke flashed a fizzing left-foot shot inches wide of his namesake’s goal. The on-loan striker was then presented with another opportunity to put Swindon level, but sent a header wide of the goal. That ought to have been Oxford’s wake up call. As it was, only eight minutes after Constable’s opener, Swindon were level. Alfie Potter was dispossessed near the corner flag by the impressive Callum Kennedy who swung in an inviting ball for Matt Ritchie to head into Ryan Clarke’s net. This led to the eccentric and passionate Paolo Di Canio celebrating wildly down the touchline, waving his arms at the Swindon fans, while Town’s galumphing centre-back, Aden Flint, ran straight to the Oxford fans punching his fist in the air. The derby game had come to life.
Swindon were now well on top and the skilful Raffaele De Vita (clearly a Di Canio import) nearly wriggled himself free of the United defence to put the home side ahead. Swindon then had a golden opportunity to send Di Canio on a repeat of his crazy celebrations. Another dangerous Callum Kennedy cross was met by Flint, whose volley was remarkably saved at point-blank range by Ryan Clarke. Swindon ought to have gone in ahead at the break, but in a dramatic finale to the half it was the U’s who took the lead.
In a carbon copy of the first goal, a Leven cross, from a free kick, was helped home by Constable. As with the first goal, the celebration was manic at the Oxford end.
A pulsating first half ended in true derby fashion with a scuffle involving almost every player on the pitch, before Mr. Haywood clearly thought that enough was enough and blew for half time.
If the first half was exciting and dramatic, the second half was nervy and tense. Once more, Di Canio was in the thick of things. Ten minutes into the second half, an offside decision enraged the outspoken Italian so much that Mr. Haywood sent him to the stands. If Di Canio was angry before then Leon Clarke’s failure to find the net from only ten yards out would have left him utterly incensed. Oxford were still struggling to take the game to Swindon, despite hauling off the disappointing Lewis Guy and below par Simon Heslop for Deane Smalley and Asa Hall respectively. Andrew Whing, strangely keeping the excellent Damien Batt amongst the substitutes, was also having a torrid time at right-back. The introduction of Swindon’s Spanish winger, Lander Gabilondo, was causing the well-travelled defender all sorts of trouble. Gabilondo was unlucky not to score after having a rasping shot expertly saved by the ever reliable Clarke in goal.
With ten minutes to go United were still in the lead. The tension in the away end had now been replaced by thunderous chants, with the fans desperate to see Oxford over the finishing line. A mighty Duberry header was chased down by the hungry Constable who bore down on the Swindon goal and almost sealed the tie, but was denied his hat-trick by the left hand of Swindon keeper, Phil Smith. We were in to stoppage time. Swindon lofted countless balls into Oxford’s penalty box, but United defended resolutely. In the last minute of stoppage time Gabilondo flashed one last shot that whizzed past the right post. It was not to be Swindon’s day. The glory was to be Oxford’s.
Mr. Haywood, who had had a poor game, blew for full time and the Oxford fans let out a deafening cry. A decade of agony, playing second fiddle to their rivals from down the road, had at last been quashed, thanks to a brilliant brace from our very own 'Swindon Town fan.'
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