I'd timed my return from travelling Europe rather well. Sure, I'd missed Oxford's opening few fixtures but I was back for the first massive fixture of the season - Swindon at home. I was excited to see the new names take centre-stage after hearing much about each individual signing from my friends and Dad whilst away.
Oxford had won their last two games at home going into today's fixture; less than convincing wins against Rochdale and Peterborough had given us some momentum ahead of the derby clash.
Today's line-up saw a change in central midfield as Joe Rothwell would partner John Lundstram in dictating the tempo in front of our defence. Liam Sercombe would be the central midfielder that plays higher up the pitch, linking up with lone striker Wes Thomas. Big money signing Marvin Johnson, whom I was very excited to see was to play left midfield, with Chris Maguire on the right. He always thrives on the big crowd.
And today's crowd was big! A sellout, and as the teams came out every person in the East Stand waved a flag strapped to their seat pre-match to reveal a yellow and blue pattern - quite the spectacle. The blue touch paper was well and truly lit.
I noted Swindon still had their keeper Lawrence Vigoroux between the sticks, telling my Dad 'can't believe they've kept hold of him over the summer'. I've seen dodgy performances from this keeper more often than not, often over-confident and nonchalant.
The game started at a slow pace, both teams wanted to play football. And for the early part Oxford were more successful in breaking down the five man Swindon back line. Swindon, despite their efforts could not set free any of their strikers and lacked a playmaker.
Shots flew in from far from Maguire and Lundstram, but there was nothing clear-cut of note as half an hour passed. Thomas looked isolated up front and needed the likes of Johnson and Maguire to run in behind him. It begged the question, why didn't we start one of our more physical players such as Kane Hemmings or Ryan Taylor?
Oxford efforts came and went, the crowd were simmering without boiling over until Maguire jogged passed the Swindon fans with the 'calm down' gesture waved at them. This cranked the decibel level up.
But it was Sercombe's tireless efforts brought the first flash point of the affair. He drove down the left and cut inside, before being tripped on the edge of the area. Referee Stuart Attwell deemed it outside the box but the linesman had flagged for a penalty. I must admit I thought the trip was outside the area, although Sercombe did fall well inside the box.
Maguire stepped up, the protests meant there was quite the delay before he struck a fierce shot into the top right corner, Vigoroux only managing a finger on the ball. One nil - delight in the home end. Maguire ran off to celebrate in front of the Swindon fans who unsurprisingly proceeded to throw bottles of beer at the celebrating players. There is a new hatred developing today!
The goal came on 44 minutes. Swindon managed to muster a chance before the whistle, some neat interchanging play brought a penalty appeal that was waved away by the referee to the horror of the Swindon players. Lloyd Jones saw yellow for his choice words.
That was half time. A half Oxford edged, but only just. The difference between the two teams had been Oxford's confident play in the final third.
Swindon made the brighter of starts to the second period, Simon Eastwood was called on early on to make a save from Johnny Goddard. A superb blocked save it was too, the ball ricocheting to the alone, onside Goddard, who will feel he should have scored with the time he had.
The game felt far more open than the first half, we had a real corker in stall here. Rothwell had a shot tipped round the post by Vigoroux, who showed his shot stopping ability.
But a matter of minutes later he was left red-faced as The U's doubled their lead. A routine back pass was chased down by Maguire, who optimistically slid to block the clearance, but Vigorous's clearance came off the sole of his foot into the back of the net! It was an amazing moment. The crowd erupted, such a rare moment and it came in a derby, an unforgettable derby moment.
Now Swindon were riled, they failed to muster anything before Jones, who was booked for dissent in the first half, picked up a second yellow for colliding with Sercombe.
Despite the reduction to ten men, Swindon faced another golden chance to score. Darnell Furlong shot wide from close range and you felt that if The Robins were going to get back into the match then that had to hit the back of the net.
The U's had a golden opportunity to make it three. Marvin Johnson escaped down the left flank with just one defender in his way. He could have picked out Maguire for a tap in and a hat trick for the Scotsman, but Johnson wanted his first goal for the club and shot narrowly wide to the disgust of Maguire. He should have passed, that much was obvious.
Alex MacDonald was introduced late on and went into a challenge with Swindon keeper Vigoroux with both feet and studs up, this could have caused serious damage to the keeper. Thankfully, he wasn't hurt but proceeded to fight MacDonald, luckily a defender intervened so his punch didn't make contact with MacDonald's face.
The Swindon keeper saw red for his reaction which really did cap off a shocking day at the office for him. Somehow MacDonald only received a yellow for double-footing the keepers face.
Down to nine men and with an outfield player in goal, it was quite the way for a derby to end for Swindon. But that was the final action, six wins in a row for Oxford against their rivals! Delighted.
As the players shook hands a Swindon player booted the ball at our left-back, Joe Skarz. Big mistake. This caused about the fifth fight of the day, Skarz FUMING, he pushed the linesman out the way and continued his pursuit for the man who whacked the ball in his face. A cheap blow it must be said from the Swindon lad. Eventually, the players made their way down the tunnel and Swindon fans were held inside the grown until Oxford fans departed the stadium car park.
Today was a brilliant reintroduction to football for me. It was great to see the players that had given me so much joy last season again and some new faces.
Standout performances include Maguire, who's antics and goals today will go down in Oxford folk law. I thought Sercombe was excellent, it was him who won the penalty for Oxford and got Jones sent off. Lundstram also had a terrific game; fired up and lively without boiling over. It must be said Wes Thomas looked out of his depth as a lone striker despite a much improved second half performance from the lad.
And so we march on! MK Dons away next week, see you there.
-Michael
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