Oxford United 2-0 Cambridge United: Match Report and Player Ratings

Oxford United were hosts to fellow mid-table opposition, Cambridge United. The Yellows have rekindled themselves and are experiencing some of their hottest form of the season and they were in no mind to let that slip as they looked to extend their unbeaten run to 7 and dispatch the namesake U’s on home turf.

The game began a typical nothing-to-play-for affair with both sides having ample possession and the football displayed pleasing to the eye – albeit unchallenging for either side – but it was Oxford who were to break the deadlock. On 31′ good interlinking play from Hylton and Roofe saw the latter find space on the edge of the area. The West-Bromwich Albion loanee fired in a powerful shot leaving Cambridge stopper Norris helpless as the ball nestled neatly in the corner. 1-0 to Oxford and this set the tone. The Yellows were dominant and fluid throughout large parts of the first half and shaded the majority of possession. After lengthy stoppages for an injury to John Mullins, who was seemingly knocked unconscious, Hylton bagged a second for Oxford following a corner as he rose highest at the far post and placed his header past Norris.

The second half was largely dominated by the home side once more. In quick succession Alex MacDonald had two efforts from a similar angle cleared off the line as a whipped cross from Hylton bypassed everyone bar the lively MacDonald. The closest Cambridge came was a superb effort from Harrison Dunk, when he rifled in a shot from 25 yards which went inches wide of Ashdown’s post. The pressure applied from Cambridge was short-lived however as the introduction of Hoban aand Vassell swayed the play into Oxford’s favour. Danny Rose wriggled his way to the byline and pulled back for Hoban who, with his first touch, saw his effort rebound off a combination of Vassell and Norris in the Cambridge goalmouth. Oxford were very fluent and applied a lot of pressure throughout the second half. Despite a barrage of crosses and clever interchanges the closest Oxford came was a MacDonald effort which rattled off the post after a sweet strike as the ball fell on the half volley from 20 yards. The game ran out 2-0 in what was a truly professional performance from Oxford. The travelling Cambridge fans will be thoroughly disappointed with how the team was set out and how little they troubled the home side but i’m sure it will not last long in the memory as the season comes to a close in just seven days time with no threat of relegation.

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Oxford United

Jamie Ashdown – largely untroubled throughout. He claimed crosses very well and was commanding in the air. 7.0
 Sam Long – Did a superb job containing Harrison Dunk and Greg Taylor and has become a very accomplished fullback this season. Also provided good support going forward when needed. 7.5
Chey Dunkley – Acting as a sweeper the U’s centre-half helped keep the Cambridge strike-force at bay. A bit nervous on the ball at times but nevertheless a good performance 7.0
 Johnny Mullins – The centre-half was stretchered off early with concussion after a nasty fall. The best result of the day is that he was given the all-clear and did not need hospital treatment. 6.0
 Joe Skarz – Typically composed and thoroughly professional. Skarz is a traditional fullback who is solid defensively but does not offer too much going forward. Good performance nevertheless. 7.0
 Alex MacDonald – One of his best performances in a yellow shirt. Showed tenacity and great link-up play with Hylton and Roofe. Terribly unlucky not to score with two cleared off the line and one off the post. Superb. 8.5
 Josh Ruffels – Consistent, neat and tidy. Certainly not a headline grabber but a typical shift from Ruffels 7.0
 Michael Collins – Much like his midfield counterpart he was integral in maintaining possession. Didn’t provide much creativity but controlled the midfield well. 7.5
 Danny Rose – Didn’t do anything spectacular but was involved a lot during Oxford’s surges of pressure. Bagged an assist with an enticing corner to top off a good performance 8.0
 Kemar Roofe – Scored a superb goal from 25 yards and showed his usual flair which has put him in the headlines. Definitely a prospect who could perform in divisions above League Two. 8.5
Danny Hylton – Received his Player of The Season award before kick-off and accentuated this during his performance. Seemed to be involved in everything and if it wasn’t to bad fortune could have easily bagged a hat trick. Brilliant. 9.0

Substitutions

 Andy Whing – The deep-lying midfielder was thrown into the deep end being forced to cover at centre-half for the concussed Mullins. Did a more than convincing job and didn’t look out of place for one second. 7.0
 Pat Hoban – Terribly unlucky not to score and brought a different dimension to the game. Excited to see what he has to offer next season. 7.0
 Kyle Vassell – Didn’t offer anything up front and was very sloppy at times. Also should’ve scored as he went through one-on-one with the keeper 5.0

 

Cambridge United

 Will Norris – Had to deal with a lot of pressure from Oxford. Handled it well but couldn’t prevent conceding two goals. 6.0
Dominic Ball – Contained Rose substantially but could not thwart the pressure sustained by Oxford. Substituted at half time. 5.5
 Michael Nelson – Was not beaten in the air often and had a solid game. Lost his man for Oxford’s second however as a free header nestled in the back of the net 6.5
 Josh Coulson – Similar to his counterpart, the defender won most aerial duels but sloppy defending cost himself and the team. 6.0
 Harrison Dunk – Had a troublesome afternoon containing MacDonald and Roofe. Was beaten often and struggled to contain the forwards. 5.0
 Sulley Kaikai – The Crystal Palace loanee had a difficult afternoon. He never really got going and the game passed him for large spells 6.0
 Bobby Joe Taylor – Had a difficult time in the middle of the park and struggled to get on the ball as much as he would’ve liked. 5.0
 Geroid Morrissey – During sporadic spells of possession he showed some creativity and good forward-thinking. Despite this however, he could not muster anything worthy for his side. 6.5
 Greg Taylor – Couldn’t muster any influence going forward. Ineffectual at best. 4.0
 Jordan Slew – Seemed a handful in the opening exchanges but the game passed him for large spells. Was offside too often and didn’t trouble the hosts. 5.0
 Tom Elliot – Was forced off after half an hour with a knock. 6.0

Substitutions

 Ryan Bird – Didn’t supply enough up front and was largely ineffectual. 5.0
 Richard Tait – Came on at half time and did much the same duty as Ball. 5.5
 Robbie Simpson – Could not muster any influence once coming on. Was very average but retained possession well. 6.0

 

Man of the Match

Danny Hylton – Played exceptionally. His link-up play with Roofe was very precise and they formed a fantastic partnership. Also topped off with a good headed goal and receiving the Player of The Season award. 9.0

*Images belong to Sky Sports

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