The Oxfordshire Senior Cup is starting to become an end of season regular for BoTP and, after last season's thrilling game between Banbury United and North Leigh (http://www.botp.co.uk/blog/pure-cup-joy-for-banbury), I was really looking forward to an all Oxford final this year.
Between them City and United have won this trophy 55 times. City hold the record with 32 wins, United have won it 13 times in total, although 3 of these came in the guise of Headington United. Despite City's dominance in the past, in recent years it has been United holding the upper hand. They have won the trophy five times since City's last triumph in 2003.
As is always the case with professional clubs entering the County Cup competitions, they tend to play their development squads. Oxford United are no different in this respect and with their first team all out in the City celebrating promotion anyway, it was no surprise that their line-up was full of youngsters. City also had a much-changed line-up for the evening with a number of squad players getting a run out.
United started off the better of the teams, knocking the ball around confidently on the slick surface. City seemed quite happy to sit back at this point. However, after 13 minutes a through ball found former City loanee James Roberts who was clean through. Hill made a good save from his first effort but, from the rebound, Roberts calmly stroked the ball home for 1-0.
Between them City and United have won this trophy 55 times. City hold the record with 32 wins, United have won it 13 times in total, although 3 of these came in the guise of Headington United. Despite City's dominance in the past, in recent years it has been United holding the upper hand. They have won the trophy five times since City's last triumph in 2003.
As is always the case with professional clubs entering the County Cup competitions, they tend to play their development squads. Oxford United are no different in this respect and with their first team all out in the City celebrating promotion anyway, it was no surprise that their line-up was full of youngsters. City also had a much-changed line-up for the evening with a number of squad players getting a run out.
United started off the better of the teams, knocking the ball around confidently on the slick surface. City seemed quite happy to sit back at this point. However, after 13 minutes a through ball found former City loanee James Roberts who was clean through. Hill made a good save from his first effort but, from the rebound, Roberts calmly stroked the ball home for 1-0.
City responded to going a goal behind by stepping up the pace a little and the game became more open. They almost forced an equaliser on 26 minutes when Whichelowe rounded the keeper but couldn't get the ball past a defender covering on the line. In a period of end to end attacking both sides came close to scoring, City's Bubb had an effort saved and both Roberts and Jeacock had chances for United. Fleet then unleashed a stinging effort from outside the box which United keeper Stevens did very well to tip over.
It was Jeacock who finally made a chance pay off when he robbed a City defender out wide on the left. Driving into the City box he then calmly slid the ball past Hill and put United 2-0 up.
Not to be outdone City did find time to pull one back before half-time when a low, driven cross from the right was turned into the next by McDonough
An entertaining first half drew to a close with just a goal between the sides and the promise of a close 45 minutes to come.
Seven minutes into the second half, however, thoughts of a City fightback were quashed when Roberts produced a sublime piece of skill. When the ball was slipped to Roberts just inside the box his options looked limited but, as the City keeper advanced, he expertly lobbed the ball over him and into the far corner. Dare I say, almost Cantona-esque in it's execution.
It was Jeacock who finally made a chance pay off when he robbed a City defender out wide on the left. Driving into the City box he then calmly slid the ball past Hill and put United 2-0 up.
Not to be outdone City did find time to pull one back before half-time when a low, driven cross from the right was turned into the next by McDonough
An entertaining first half drew to a close with just a goal between the sides and the promise of a close 45 minutes to come.
Seven minutes into the second half, however, thoughts of a City fightback were quashed when Roberts produced a sublime piece of skill. When the ball was slipped to Roberts just inside the box his options looked limited but, as the City keeper advanced, he expertly lobbed the ball over him and into the far corner. Dare I say, almost Cantona-esque in it's execution.
Although City were still trying to push forward whenever possible, United were now well in control and just nine minutes later Jeacock registered his entry for goal of the game. Picking the ball up out wide, he cut inside and then curled a delightful effort around the keeper and in of the far post for 4-1.
Between them Jeacock and Roberts were causing all sorts of problems for the City defence. Their pace and speed of thought was creating chance after chance. It was no surprise when, after 70 minutes, Roberts grabbed his hat-trick thanks to great work by Jeacock down the left flank. After beating his man and taking the ball to the byline, he pulled it back across the box for Roberts to apply the simplest of finishes.
It was all United now and the only question remaining was how many goals they might notch up. They held out for another 18 minutes before Roberts smashed home his fourth and United's sixth in the 88th minute.
Credit must go to the band of City supporters who kept up their vocal support throughout the entire game. Treating us to renditions of some classics such as 'Bus-stop in Horspath' through to some more obscure tunes, such as the theme tune to Grandstand. Even as I left the Kassam I could still hear them resurrecting KC and The Sunshine Band's 'That's the way I like it'. If they like losing 6-1 so much, I wonder what sort of noise they make when they win?
Oxford United - @oufcofficial
Oxford City - @oxcityfc
Oxfordshire FA - @oxfordshirefa
Between them Jeacock and Roberts were causing all sorts of problems for the City defence. Their pace and speed of thought was creating chance after chance. It was no surprise when, after 70 minutes, Roberts grabbed his hat-trick thanks to great work by Jeacock down the left flank. After beating his man and taking the ball to the byline, he pulled it back across the box for Roberts to apply the simplest of finishes.
It was all United now and the only question remaining was how many goals they might notch up. They held out for another 18 minutes before Roberts smashed home his fourth and United's sixth in the 88th minute.
Credit must go to the band of City supporters who kept up their vocal support throughout the entire game. Treating us to renditions of some classics such as 'Bus-stop in Horspath' through to some more obscure tunes, such as the theme tune to Grandstand. Even as I left the Kassam I could still hear them resurrecting KC and The Sunshine Band's 'That's the way I like it'. If they like losing 6-1 so much, I wonder what sort of noise they make when they win?
Oxford United - @oufcofficial
Oxford City - @oxcityfc
Oxfordshire FA - @oxfordshirefa
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