The Yellows Take a Step in the Right Direction

Today, Oxford finally got to play their rescheduled match against Barnet. As I said at the end of the last post, Oxford really needed to start winning. Well that idea looked very grim at this match’s beginnings. As this match was again during the work day for me, I could only check the live match tracker every so often when work was dead. To my grief, Oxford were already down by the time I first checked the score. I joined the match probably around the 20^th minute, but Barnet had taken the lead in the 16^th. It must have been a good crisp shot too because Barnet weren’t taking many shots, just two in that first half. Oxford were again taking shots, but again just not getting anything past the keeper. Luckily the law of averages caught up and Oxford leveled just a few minutes before halftime. New loanee Lee Holmes crossed the ball into the box to fellow loanee Scott Rendell who headed the ball into goal. That would be Rendell’s first goal for Oxford since he joined a few weeks ago.

The second half started off better than the first for the Yellows, with Oli Johnson getting a near goal with his shot hitting off the post in the 53^rd. James Constable would get one inside the goal though just a few minutes later in the 56^th to give Oxford the 2-1 lead. Oxford looked to be taking the 2-1 win through the end, but they would do so just by the skin of their teeth. Barnet was awarded a penalty in the 83^rd minute with Oxford defender tripping their Ricky Holmes in the box. Luckily, Ryan Clarke, Oxford’s keeper was up for it and stopped the penalty kick from going in the bottom corner. With that dramatic save, the Yellows officially sealed the deal and beat Barnet 2-1.

Of course, Oxford still stay in 7^th with the win. Again they’re not going anywhere any time soon. They did at least gain some distance away from those below them in the standings. They are now five points ahead of 8^th place. They play Macclesfield, a team in the bottom half of the league table, this weekend but the competition will be stiffer for the two matches after that. Current league leaders and rivals Swindon Town come to town on March 3^rd and current 4^th place team Shrewsbury hosts Oxford for a Tuesday match on March 6^th. I have a feeling that getting points from these two fixtures will be crucial for Oxford’s progress towards promotion at the end of the season.