One of the great oxford United moments. To be a home grown lad, come on for League debut and, in the 92nd minute, beat two players and put it top bins like that is the kind of thing you see once a generation. Absolute schoolboy dream, Roy of the Rovers stuff. And if you haven’t heard it, listen to his interview afterwards. Had me grinning like a Cheshire Cat, what an absolutely golden lad.
A late winner always influences your perception of the game, but, trying desperately to be objective, I think there are positives and negatives to take away from that. The negatives are that that was pretty bad. No cohesion and poor individual performances from many players. Good effort shown by players in the press, but it was rarely a team effort. A lone man chasing down a CB with the ball looks great, but is ultimately a waste of energy if no one else is joining you. We need to be smarter there. I also think the stats don’t tell the whole story - sure they had no shots on target, but (with the caveat it’s difficult to see the fence end from the East) Cambridge looked to have the much better chances in the first half. Some of our play out from the back was very slack as well, Moore in particular played some very poor passes. Browne put in a shift but is not a CM, and I think his inclusion stifled Brannagan, who seemed to have a very uncertain role, and was consequently pretty ineffective.
That said, there was a lot to like there. The subs for us completely changed the game. It’s encouraging to have that strength in depth, and to see that Henry can still have such a strong impact for us. Murphy I was initially very unimpressed with. He looked very lacking in match sharpness and just generally off it. Completely changed when he moved left though, even for a few minutes. He must start left if he is to start. Bate put in a hell of a cameo and I think is nailed on to start next game. Likewise MacGuane, who I thought first half especially relished taking the ball and dictating play. Looks much physically stronger and cleverer as well, which is great.
I also thought we looked uncharacteristically dangerous and solid from offensive and defensive set pieces, respectively. You won’t find two better players at winning the ball in the air at our level than Moore and Findlay (although their lack of pace and reluctance to bring the ball out from the back I fear could cause problems over the course of the next 44 games).
Clear pen for us but I thought their shout looked very good too. All evens out I suppose.
One of those games that was tailing off into into the realms of instantly forgettable (does anyone, at all, remember us beating Crewe 1-0 at home last season?), but will now be a game that will hopefully go down in OUFC folklore as The Tyler Goodrham Debut Goal game.
