Let’s start with the Crewe game. As ever, the away side possessed a host of talented, skilful young players courtesy of their famous academy. Luke Murphy in the centre of their midfield was particularly impressive. Despite this, Oxford dominated the proceedings, especially the first half, with the recently re-called Jon Paul-Pitman very lively. However, the home side squandered a hatful of chances. Unfortunately, this was to prove costly. In the second half, the Alex played with greater confidence as their well-honed technical abilities began to shine through. Oxford, on the other hand, had gone into the shell. After creating numerous opportunities in the first half, the U’s now seemed unable to keep hold of the ball and the contest became a rather dire spectacle. A goalless draw looked on the cards. However, Crewe had other ideas. After a ten minute period of dominance at the end of the game, Crewe finally pinched it at the death, when a well-worked move started by Nick Powell was finished by substitute Greg Pearson. A bitter blow for Oxford and a major dent in the promotion dream.
The disappointment of the Crewe match was quickly forgotten when news filtered in during the week that the club had accepted a bid for star striker and talisman, James Constable. Anger, shock and outrage followed when it transpired that this club was our arch-rivals, Swindon Town. If Swindon had offered half a million or more for Constable’s services, I could see the logic behind Kelvin Thomas’ and Chris Wilder’s decision. However, the bid was a measly £200,000. Why then had Oxford accepted the bid? It sent out the wrong message; by allowing Swindon to effectively poach one of our best players for such a pitiful sum, it suggested that Oxford were inferior in size and status to their chief rivals. What most hurt the supporters was precisely this: the club was seemingly admitting that Swindon were a bigger club. In an ugly turn of events, supporters then took to Twitter to abuse Constable, while fans on OUFC message boards attacked Thomas’ and Wilder’s transfer policy. However, what had been completely overlooked during the entire episode was Constable’s point of view. Supporters had wrongly turned on him, before knowing the facts. Oxford might have accepted a bid for his services, but ‘Beano’ had no intention of joining our neighbours. Indeed, he did not even travel to Swindon to talk to their representatives. As such, the whole transfer was off. In an age where greedy players hop from club to club, Constable demonstrated that loyalty can still exist in football.
And so onto Hereford. Unsurprisingly, Constable received a hero’s reception from the United faithful and the fans chanted his name throughout the encounter. He could even have snatched the headlines, when he was presented with a late chance to steal the points. As it was, the day will belong to Michael Duberry for his comical ‘hat-trick.’ United had gone ahead thanks to a fantastic strike from Pitman, before the bizarre turn of events. First a Jack Colbeck cross was diverted home by Duberry before the break. Then, with United desperately pushing for a winner late in the second half, Duberry headed home a wild Hereford shot into his own net. Oxford now looked set to lose their second consecutive home match to a late goal. However, in the last minute of normal time, Duberry went up the other end and converted a Batt cross calmly into the bottom corner. An improbable hat-trick and an extraodinary day, yet still a result that Oxford will rue come the end of the season.
Next up were Burton Albion at the Pirelli stadium. After a dismal first half showing where United fell behind to an Adam Bolder strike, Oxford responded positively in the second half. Alfie Potter scored a top-quality solo goal (another wonder goal for Oxford this season) and the U's ought to have nicked it late on. However, Potter and then Constable both missed late opportunities.
Unfortunately, Oxford's match schelduled for this afternoon against Barnet at the Kassam Stadium has been cancelled due to a frozen pitch. United's next game is therefore a tricky tester away at Accrington Stanley.
