With the scores locked at one a piece, Peter Leven, our classy Scottish midfielder intercepted a pass in the centre circle and spotted the Vale keeper, Stuart Tomlinson, off his line. What then followed will stick in the memory of Oxford United fans for years to come. Leven looked up, before executing a perfectly weighted strike from the half way line over Tomlinson’s outstretched hands and into the net. It was sort of goal that we may occasionally see on Match of the Day if we are lucky. We never expected such a moment of footballing genius at a League 2 fixture.
To even attempt such an audacious effort underlines the sheer confidence that is running through Oxford’s team at the moment. Following our impressive 5-1 battering over bottom club, Plymouth Argyle, on Tuesday night (where Leven scored another superb goal), Oxford are on a roll. Micky Adams’ Port Vale visited the Kassam at the wrong time.
United’s only change from Tuesday’s match saw Andrew Whing replace the suspended Damian Batt. Thankfully, Batt’s suspension is only for a single game as Whing’s woeful lack of pace consistently left the U’s susceptible on the Vale’s left side.
Despite this minor mishap, Oxford carried on where they left off on Tuesday night and stormed into the lead on ten minutes, courtesy of cult hero and centre-back colossus, Michael Duberry. An inswinging Leven corner was met firmly by the experienced head of the ‘Dubes’, who proceeded to tear down the Kassam pitch towards the Oxford Mail pumping his arms widely in the air with a wide grin etched across his face. It is such clear displays of passion that have so endeared Duberry to the United faithful.
United then created a host of chances to double their advantage. Rob Hall, in particular was unfortunate not to add another goal to his impressive United tally, as Tomlinson pulled off a fine save to deny the best thing to have come out of Aylesbury since the A41.
Still, Oxford needed to be on their guard as Vale, under the watchful eye of experienced manager Adams, also had their chances to level the scores. Ryan Clarke saved expertly from Doug Loft and captain Jake Wright made two outstanding defensive blocks from the same player to ensure that the Yellows went in ahead at the break.
In the second half, Oxford had the clearest opportunity to extend their lead. The indefatigable James Constable bustled his way down the right flank before squaring the ball for Alfie Potter, who dummed (fluffed) his shot into the path of Leven, who sent a screaming left foot drive inches wide of the goal. Minutes later, Hall stung the fingertips of Tomlinson with a ferocious shot inside the box.
Oxford were left to rue these missed chances, though, as on 62 minutes Vale’s talisman Marc Richards put the away side level after a neat move. Similarly to last year, the 839 away supporters went crazy and tried to storm the Kassam turf. With half an hour to go, Oxford faced the prospect of throwing away a home lead for the 5th time already this season.
Before we even had time to contemplate this depressing statistic, though, Leven’s moment of magic sent the Oxford Mail into a wild and disbelieving frenzy. Supporters grabbed one another, screaming in each other’s faces at the incredible nature of the goal.
The drama did not stop there. With ten minutes left on the clock, the hapless referee, Mark Haywood, who also officiated the Swindon game, gave a dubious penalty against Duberry. Richards stepped up and powerfully struck his shot to Clarke’s right, who pulled off a magnificent, match-winning save.
This save emphasises how every single player is contributing to United’s push up the table. We will need this togetherness for our next two league games, away at league leaders Southend United and second place Crawley Town.
But we do not need to think about that just yet. For now, let’s just continue to enjoy watching highlights of Leven’s spectacular effort.
Man of the Match: Peter Leven
