Attendance: 7608
Referee: Mr A Madley
On Saturday I made third visit to the Kassam Stadium, Oxford with my girlfriend Georgia, and avid U's supporter. My two previous visit both finished as a draw; Crawley (1-1, and Tyrone Barnett's wonder goal), and Torquay (a drab 0-0), so I was hopeful that United's fixture against Bristol Rovers would produce a few goals. 2000 Rovers supporters made the relatively short trip to the Kassam hoping that their side would maintain their five game unbeaten run. There was a heavy police presence around the ground before and after the game, this being one of Bristol Rovers closest away game of the season.
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| Bristol Rovers fans |
Recent events at the Yellow's fans forum during the week brought up some surprising talking points. News that up to ten players were signed in the summer without receiving a medical had angered already fuming fans, and a net loss of £660k left many Oxford fans fearing their play off push this season was all but over. Several injuries have hampered the Oxford squad, leaving results inconsistent, and supporters furious. Attendances are dramatically falling; just 4500 turning up for a mid week fixture against Burton Albion.
Bristol Rovers, however, have had a season of mixed fortune. Up until Christmas they sat in the bottom two of the league and relegation was a real threat. Although, the decision to replace manager Mark McGhee with John Ward has galvanised the Pirates and they have pulled themselves away from the drop zone.
So, a team in turmoil and off form against an ever improving team. What was the outcome?.....
The first half became rapidly, both sides coming close in the opening minutes. Oxford began to dominate but good chances from James Constable and early substitute Alfie Potter went amiss. After the 20 minutes mark the affair became drab, and would've sent a few to sleep i'm sure. Chances were rare and only a few dubious decisions by the referee were the main talking at half time.
The second half was where the action began. There was a sign that the 'hairdryer treatment' was used on Rovers at half time, as dominance started to show. Oxford struggled to string simple passes together and soon, the main talking point of the whole game happened. After Ryan Brunt was released, Jake Wright brought him down in the box and a penalty was given.
View for yourself here. What do you think? Skip to 1.40 for the move. Note that apparently the penalty was my fault!
Despite the setback, Oxford continued to press, a few chances failing to hit the back off the net. The game fell back into the tediousness of the first half. The most interesting thing being a few Bristol Rovers fans managing to navigate the segregation and force their way into the home concourse. Police had it all under control however and order was soon restored.
5 minutes off stoppage time were added and there was still hope of an equaliser from the Yellows. In the fourth minute after a tangle of legs and free kick was given to Bristol Rovers. It was taken quickly and Eliot Richard found himself one on one with U's stopper Luke McCormick. He neatly placed his shot in the bottom corner, ending all hope of a United equaliser and sending the Gas faithful into delirium. The stands emptied rapidly, with hardly a Yellow shirt left in the stands. Oxford fans had given up hope. The match was over, and they believed their season was over.
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