With all of us still buzzing after Wednesday night, the three unexpected points only slightly changed the dynamics for this one. Oxford’s three consecutive wins have changed the picture at the bottom, now its any two from a bunch, and for that they deserve credit, having made it seems astute additions in the January window. A defeat and we would still be looking over our shoulders, in the circumstances a draw would be acceptable, while a win and we would be all but safe (up to 13th – theoretically even 12th – before the others played). The abiding question was just how much was left in the tank after Middlesbrough, with Coventry, Docherty and Coady in particular having run themselves into the ground.
What we ended up with was a poor game in terms of football, with the two teams combined conjuring up three attempts on target between them, two of those being the penalties converted by each. The outcome was determined by two stupid decisions: the first by the ref, to decide that a routine challenge by Ramsay as the ball was sailing through to Mannion merited a penalty for them; the second by their defender, who crazily decided to grab hold of Jones’ shirt as their keeper came out for a ball into the box, leaving the ref with no option other than to equal things up on the penalty front. Given that ours was an equaliser in stoppage time, and that we didn’t remotely look like scoring, we are for sure much the happier of the two sides. And for the third successive game we were very relieved to hear the final whistle.
The team showed five changes from Middlesbrough – but in reality it was just a reverse of those made for that game. Kaminski was back on the bench but Mannion kept the jersey, as he deserved to. Ramsay, Jones and Bell came in for Gough, Coady and Gillesphey, with those three among the subs. The wing-backs were unchanged, as was the midfield trio again, with Jones clearly assuming that they were able to go again, while up front Dykes and Campbell came back in for Leaburn and Kelman. Or at least he was supposed to, but five changes became four as it seems Dykes was unwell and had to drop out, with Leaburn starting (and Mitchell added to the subs).
The first half was a non-event. We controlled the first 20 minutes or so, dominating possession without converting that into a goal attempt, let alone one on target. They came more into it after that, while looking equally blunt in attack. They had a free-kick from outside the box, after Chambers had been caught out and pulled back their guy, getting a yellow. It flashed comfortably over the bar. And that was the only strike on goal from either side. There were corners, throw-ins, free-kicks, a moment or two of confusion (when Mannion was coming for a ball but Bell brought it down, with both a little fortunate that Mannion was able to clear), and that was it.
Nothing changed in the second half either (aside from Clarke picking up a yellow, a header from Coventry marking our first attempt on goal, and one of theirs chipping over the bar from inside the box), until they were given a penalty on 55 minutes. It was a nothing ball into our box which was sailing through for Mannion to claim. In front of him their forward made a token effort to get there and Ramsay tracked him, with a little nudge for good measure. The forward went down, Oxford players and fans howled for a penalty, and the referee buckled and decided in their favour. Just a poor decision. The penalty was duly dispatched, Mannion guessing right but unable to keep it out.
That obviously changed the game, gave them something to hold onto. Jones the Boss opted for a quick reaction, with Kelman introduced for Ramsay, who was injured in the clash for the penalty. That meant a back four with Campbell moving to the right side. But we took a while to settle into that and looked rattled with Oxford obviously lifted. They might have increased their lead as a ball was played through and their guy lifted it over an advancing Mannion. Mannion did, however, get a touch which took much of the pace off the attempt and Jones tracking back was able to hook the ball clear before it crossed the line.
On 67 minutes we made another substitution, Fevrier coming on for Coventry, Campbell switching back to the left side. But with Oxford now content to get everyone behind the ball when out of possession this didn’t result in any actual chances, despite balls being sent into their box. On 81 minutes we were entering Hail Mary time and Fullah and Rankin-Costello were brought on, for Docherty and Chambers. We were now putting them under more consistent pressure, them like us on Wednesday with no effective out-ball, but still not threatening their goal. And as we entered six minutes of stoppage time it really did seem as though it would be one of those disappointing afternoons, one in which the opposition scoring once would be enough to take the points.
Then their defender had his moment of madness. Another routine ball into the box was going to be dealt with by their keeper, like many others, but Jones was sent sprawling and it was obvious his shirt was being pulled. Having given a soft one at the other end the ref would have to give this one too. Kelman stepped up and, while his penalty wasn’t that firmly struck, it was well placed, just inside the post, their keeper like Mannion guessing which way but unable to get to it.
Strangely enough, with them suddenly having to go in chase of a winner we looked the more likely to score again at the death. That would have been amusing, but not to be. We were content with the outcome, just what the Oxford manager says to his defender doesn’t bear thinking about.
We do now have a week to rest up and get ready for the visit of Norwich, without having to worry too much about today’s other results. Nobody will remember the game, we won’t care about how we avoided defeat, just feel satisfaction that a very tired bunch just about managed that.
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