Today marked my first league match of 2016. But it wasn't quite back to reality yet, as my Dad had won tickets for seats in a box, something that will be a welcome relief on this bitterly cold afternoon.
On arrival an hour before kick off, we had a buffet whilst watching Man Utd vs Liverpool. Lovely.
As we sit in our comfortable, cushioned seats you can't help but feel detached from the fans we are usually amongst with in the stands. Although the experience in a box for the game was enjoyable and warm, there's no chance of me swapping my North Stand season ticket for a box seat anytime soon.
From the early stages of the game it was clear we had played two matches in the last seven days against opponents in higher divisions. With little squad rotation in those days, the usually reliable core of the team looked understandably tiresome. Lundstram's passing was off, Baldock and MacDonald weren't combining so wonderfully as in recent times.
Chances were few and far between, but Lundstram came closest with a long-range effort that fizzed just past the joint.
Just after the break, still warm from all the free tea and coffee drunk at half time, Roofe put us in front. A low Lundstram cross from the edge of the area was turned in my the man of the moment. His fifth goal in seven days.
You got the feeling at Half Time that there would be only be the one decisive goal in this game, however, that was not to be the case.
Bristol Rovers hit back 15 minutes later as Joe Skarz was convincingly taken on, allowing a fierce cross to come in from the right. The cross was met by the head of Taylor, who finished low past the helpless Sam Slocombe.
The Rovers goal provoked a period of pressure from the away side. Oxford created a similar amount of chances, but the side from the West had a much stronger foothold in the game.
A penalty appeal for Oxford came and went before Rovers were awarded theirs. Easter burst through the defence and was deemed to have been tripped by Slocombe as the striker attempted to take the ball around him.
Harrison drilled the penalty home, and Bristol had the lead.
Oxford pushed on as they had all match, a drilled ball across the six yard box from Baldock was perfect, but none of the strikers gambled and the final chance of the game was gone.
On reflection, a draw would have been a fair result. Oxford definitely didn't deserve to lose the match, their attacks lacked the decisive end product, unlike in recent games.
The Yellows remain third in League Two, but with the pack closing behind them. Next week's match away to Portsmouth looks tricky, and is a game we cannot afford to lose. At this point, I'll take a draw, but with a well deserved week's rest for this team, who knows what could happen.
-Michael
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