Carlisle Utd 0-2 Oxford Utd

The longest away day of the season was upon us. Today, we could gain promotion to League One if we are victorious and Bristol Rovers lose at already relegated York City.

The day started at 6am. Up and downloading films onto my iPad for the ten hour round-trip that lay ahead, I was so excited for the match.

As we headed up the M6 it was clear that the following was going to be larger than the anticipated 1,400. We were continuously encountering cars donning the yellow scarves and drivers in their kits. The service stations were largely taken up with Oxford fans taking pit-stops on the way to Cumbria - it was terrific, something I've never experienced before.

I knew Carlisle was far. But when we began driving through snowy mountain territory it hit me just how far from the rest of northern England they were. When we parked up we were only ten minutes from the Scotland border.

We headed to the local pub where chairman Darryl Eales had promised a free pint and hot dog for the first 1,000 Oxford fans that turn up. A small but well appreciated gesture from the chairman, who was also stood amongst us in the away terrace at Brunton Park.

The town of Carlisle had suffered devastating flooding over Christmas. We knew the damage had been bad, but now, at the end of April the effects were still there for all to see. Despite Brunton Park refurbishing the turf, the homes surrounding the ground were almost all uninhabited, with skips lining the streets of what must have once been a lovely place to live. It was a rather sad sight as we walked to the ground.

Brunton Park itself is an old-style ground. With the roof of two stands angled like those of a typical detached house, except with some aspestos-esq material covering them. Whilst the terrace behind the goal where I was stood had no cover. This stand is usually empty, but due to the unprecedented quantity of away fans in Carlisle, it was open for business.

Callum O'Dowda was back in the starting XI for the first time since his illness, replacing Kemar Roofe who was injured in the warm up. That was the only change for United, O'Dowda would start up front with Danny Hylton, but interchange continuously with Alex MacDonald and Chris Maguire throughout the match.

The players were greeted with yellow streamers and a host of flags as they came out onto the pitch. It was a fantastic atmosphere created by the 2,400 strong away support.

And Oxford got the perfect start. Just four minutes in Hylton glided past a defender before passing to Maguire who was upended by Luke Joyce. Penalty to United. Maguire was the coolest man in Carlisle to sidefoot the ball to the right of the goalkeeper.

Pressure on the Carlisle goal followed from Oxford who continued to pass with confidence. In defence, Jake Wright and Chey Dunkley defended admirably, whilst Jonjoe Kenny delivered another attacking option from Right Back.

O'Dowda fashioned the best chances for Oxford but often lacked end product. His decision making was questionable as United moved into the final third. His build up play, however, is truly fantastic - it seems he can beat any player one on one.

Throughout the season, Oxford have successfully got in behind the opposition's midfield and run at their defence with such threat time and time again. Something I have seen little of in the seasons gone by.

News was coming through that Bristol Rovers were comfortably winning away at York. This meant the atmosphere in the away end grew nervy. The chanting dampened down as Carlisle grew into the game, some poor refereeing decisions also meant the game hung in the balance come half time. It is fair to say that at this point, no one in the Oxford section was enjoying the match - we needed another goal.

Talking of poor refereeing decisions, about ten minutes into the second half the ball seemed to strike Kenny on the arm inside our penalty area. The whole ground was awaiting the referees whistle and a point to the penalty spot, but it did not come. I couldn't believe it. This is why we needed the second goal! Too often this season I've seen us dominate games to be struck back by one moment of opposition intent.

Soon after this Maguire, who had been closing down admirably all game, blocked Carlisle keeper's attempted pass, only for the keeper to get back onto his goal line before the ball rolled over. That would have been a hilarious way to make it two nil.

John Lundstram's introduction seemed to calm us down. He came on for a still-injured Joe Skarz. With no fit Left Back's on the bench, Josh Ruffels dropped into that position. I have a lot of respect for versatile footballers, and Ruffels proved he was one today with some fantastically committed defending to keep Carlisle's attacks at bay.

Benji Buchel made a smart save from the big man Jabo Ibhere as the striker was through one on one. That was just before Hylton intercepted a goalkeepers pass to be taken down on the edge of the area. It was inches from being inside the box. The ref deemed it only a yellow card offence to the bewilderment of us behind the goal.

After which Liam Sercombe made it 2-0 to Oxford. O'Dowda made another one of his runs from midfield and correctly played in an overlapping Sercombe, who hit it too low and hard for goalkeeper Gillespie to prevent.

The goal was greeted with absolute jubilation. The relief was tangible, we had secured three points on a day we had to. The scenes were pretty mental in all honesty and once settled down I looked down to see a cut across the back of my hand - absolutely no idea how I got it.

Sercombe has stepped up to the mark a countless number of times for us this season. He is a brilliant box-to-box central midfielder who has the stamina and an attitude to make him a fan favourite.

The remainder of the game was far more relaxed, Oxford knew the game was safe if they continued to control possession. Carlisle were one of the easier teams to watch on the eye; they too passed the ball well and did not resort to frustrating us with time wasting techniques. Although one player was extremely late with a challenge on Buchel in the last minute.

Full time. We had won, we were not promoted, but we had won. As all the players came round to rightly applaud the strong away following, there was a sense that only half the job was done with Bristol Rovers and Accrington Stanley winning.

We are now only 90 minutes away from automatic promotion, our fate remains in our hands, so a win would see us into League One next season. We defended brilliantly today and took our chances when it mattered, if we do the same next weekend I have no doubt we will go up. Although, we are playing Wycombe, Wycombe are a team that typically play ugly - this could disrupt our usual game. I'm already so nervous.

Time for the five hour car journey home...


-Michael

Oxford Utd 2-0 Hartlepool Utd

The remarkable recovery of Joe Skarz dominated conversation en route to the Kassam Stadium. Supposedly ruled out for the season, yet was named in the starting XI for today's match with Hartlepool United after some hard work on the training ground and Jordan Evans being ruled out for the season because of a rib injury.

Defensively we were set up very differently to our previous home fixture against Luton, with Jake Wright returning to captain the side in place of Jonny Mullins in central defence. Whilst Josh Ruffels returned to central midfield in place of John Lundstram, and Alex MacDonald resumed his duties on the right flank after suffering with tonsillitis. 

Oxford came into the fixture on the back of a disappointing 1-1 away draw to Newport County, making the need for three points today very important.

Hartlepool sat in lower mid-table before today’s game as the club continue to go through something of a transition process since their fall from League One last season. After reappointing then sacking Ronnie Moore as Manager, the club can be pleased to have Football League survival secured for next season.

The atmosphere was terrific as the players finished their warm-up and jogged down the tunnel, every home fan knew the importance of the match today.

Oxford began the game on the front foot. Chris Maguire looked particularly fired up in the opening stages as attacks came and went for the home team.

Last week it took two minutes, today it took seven minutes for Oxford to break the deadlock. Some fine work from Maguire (?) lead to a low pass into the box that was met by Liam Sercombe who smashed against the bar; Kemar Roofe was on hand to tap in the rebound as the goalkeeper lay on the ground.

It was the perfect start for us and as Roofe wielded away in celebration, the stadium was bouncing.

The tension inside the ground grew as Oxford created little. There was always the worry that our goalkeeper, Benji Buchel was capable of producing a howler of an error at any point, so it was important we scored another goal.

We struggled to maintain possession in the first half. The absence of Lundstram from the side as the player who can calmly sit in front of the defence and distribute the ball to our playmakers was telling. This is not to say that Ruffels played particularly badly – the two are different types of central midfielders, with Ruffels covering more ground than Lundstram.

The goal we desired did not come. The main difference between this match and the Luton home game so far is that there has been no slip from our goalkeeper… So we keep our deserved lead.

The winners of the 1986 Milk Cup paraded the pitch at half time as part of Legends Day at the club. The heroes received a very warm reception.

The second half of this crucial encounter began much the way the first had ended. Although, Oxford, accustomed to scoring an early second half goal, did not today.

Maguire was having one of his best games for the Yellows though. The Scotsman came close with a free kick in the first half, and had an effort from the edge of the area terrifically saved from Hartlepool keeper, Trevor Carson. He deserved a goal today.

Roofe, Skarz and MacDonald were substituted as the game wore on, all to standing ovations given their respective come backs from injury.

Hartlepool had some brilliant chances to get level in the match. They forced a fine save from Buchel midway through the half before their most notable chance. A corner caused confusion in the box and was eventually cleared off the line to the relief of every home fan in the stadium. We have conceded too many times from corners over the course of the season; a real Achilles Heel of ours.

It was Sercombe who scored into injury time to seal the points for Oxford. After some sustained pressure, Oxford conceded a throw deep in Hartlepool's half. It was given away by the away side and latched onto by Sercombe who took on one defender in the box and slotted past Carson. The stadium erupted. The release of tension was clear for all to see - what a moment.

Full Time. The East Stand proceded to start chanting 'We are Going Up' which I did not join in with. Call me a pessimist but this season is not finished yet by a long shot (see below table)!

Listening to Skarz's post-match interview on the radio filled me with pride. He had shortened his time on the sidelines by cutting all processed food from his diet. This, coupled with hours on the bike everyday meant he returned to help his side to victory today.

A loss for Plymouth was surprising; but Bristol and Accrington have kept the pace with wins today. And so, with two games remaining, our fate is in our own hands…

 -Michael

Oxford Utd 2-3 Luton Town

I boarded my flight in San Francisco 13 hours prior to kick off, unsure whether I would make the match on the other side of the world. 10 and a half hours later, severely jet lagged, I was in Heathrow Terminal 3 certain I would make kick off. Border Control however, had other ideas, the queue set me back half an hour.

I ended up taking my seat in the North Stand two minutes before the game started! Every second counted in the rush from Heathrow Airport.

There were fresh injury concerns for Oxford going into today's fixture with Luton. Dependable wingers Callum O'Dowda and Alex MacDonald had both fallen ill with tonsilitis prior to kick off, an almighty blow for the Yellows at this crucial time of the season.

John Lundstram was back in the starting XI after his sending off vs Stevenage, and Jordan Evans retained his place at left-back with the continued absence of Joe Skarz. The full-back combination of Evans and Jonjoe Kenny must be the youngest in Oxford's history - 20 and 19 respectively.

The U's came into today's game with confidence after a 5-1 away win to Crawley Town, whilst Luton bumbled around in midtable obscurity after their 1-0 midweek win relegated Dagenham & Redbridge.

Today's game was to be crucial - the result should be no less than a win. Accrington Stanley, Bristol Rovers and Plymouth Argyle are all in hot pursuit of the automatic promotion spots; we have to keep the gap between us and them going into the finale of the season.

The tiredness I had been feeling soon went away as the game got underway, mainly because Danny Hylton opened the scoring after three minutes. A lovely through ball by Kemar Roofe down the middle was latched onto by the ever-willing Hylton, who took the ball in his stride and shot low across the keeper to give Oxford the dream start.

The goal was just what we wanted. With Lundstram back in the squad, it was hoped we could go on and control the game in midfield.

For the remainder of the first half the game was flat. Oxford's 6'7" striker, George Waring offered next to nothing up front, he failed to use his height to our advantage. Although, in his defence, the service from widemen Roofe and Chris Maguire was fairly non-existent; the two players favouring cutting inside rather than a whipped ball into the middle. Both were naturally used to playing in the centre, but with MacDonald and O'Dowda's absence they were forced out wide.

Luton created little, but a minute before half-time they were level. Joe Pigott got his first goal for the club since his loan move in January after some laughable defending. An awkward back-pass from Kenny was not controlled well by Benji Buchel, who then proceeded to slip and gift the ball to Danny Green. The winger then simply passed across goal for Joe Pigott to tap into the empty net. No, I'm not joking, that actually happened.

The goal highlighted our need for a new goalkeeper, with both Buchel and Sam Slocombe making mistakes far too often this season.

Two minutes into the alotted three minutes added on Luton were somehow in front. When I say somehow, I mean somehow. The defending again was shocking. Oxford dallied on the ball, passing it amongst themselves instead of kicking long to Waring. A pass was intercepted, crossed into the middle and Olly Lee was there to volley emphatically into the top corner. It was a good finish to be fair, but the chance should have never been presented to him.

As the whistle blew to end the first 45 I was in a state of disarray, I could not believe that we had made those sloppy, unprofessional errors at such a crucial time in the season.

Oxford had scored early in the second half often this season. Today was no exception, Chey Dunkley powered a header into the top corner from a Maguire free kick after ten minutes of play to the delight of the 7,000 Oxford fans. Dunkley is becoming a weapon from set pieces for the Yellows, a weapon we haven't had for many seasons gone. Jake Wright, our centre half for about six years now is yet to score for us.

Five minutes later Waring was presented with a glorious opportunity to put us in front. He was running forward with the ball with only one defender in front, Roofe provided a fantastic overlap which only required an easy through ball for him to shoot past the keeper. Waring's through ball though was too heavy though and went out unharmfully for a goal kick despite the best efforts of Roofe. So frustrating.

Within the next phase of play Luton were ahead. Some neat football lead to a chipped ball over our defence, everyone seemed to stop, assuming the flag would go up for offside. There was no flag, so unmarked, in the centre of our penalty area, Pigott slotted past Buchel.

The goal was greeted by some boo's amongst the home support. I myself just put my head in my hands and felt extremely tired with this promotion push and the fact I hadn't slept in 25 hours.

For the remainder of the game, it was much as we've experienced before. Luton began time wasting at every throw-in, goal kick and corner.

We created chances though, most notably James Roberts hit the post after his introduction off the bench. If he had scored that it would have been one of my personal highlights of the season, the youngster has had a year of hell for personal reasons. It was a fine tip from the keeper onto the post to deny him.

And that was that. You get the feeling that if Buchel hadn't slipped at the end of the first half, the game would have been completely different. Although it must be said too many players were below par today including our full backs. We missed the presence of Skarz at left-back.

Lundstram was off the pace today, he looked like a player lacking match fitness and he didn't control the game like we knew he was so capable of doing. As for Waring, it was probably his worst performance of the season.

I remember going to a fans forum at the start of the season. There, Michael Appleton said it would take something 'drastic' for us not to get automatic promotion this season. Well, it all looks fairly gloomy right now, results hadn't gone our way either. Although our fate thankfully still rests in our own hands, the pack behind are chasing rapidly.


-Michael