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