Sports on the road in the league arrived in Oxford on the back of a good, 0:0 away draw the previous week against the top of the league team. However, a lack of goals lately added a little tension. Oxford has had a mixed start to the campaign, but we had not faced them before, so we had to navigate a lot of unknowns. Ten mins in, a goal from a set piece, delivery with quality from Miles, helped on by Norman, and finished by Hawkins at the second bite. The goal came after a lot of dominance and slick play. Sports looked like they would push on. However, despite plenty of possession and a bit of pressure, the game remained on a knife edge. Sports never got back into their grove after the goal, and the Oxford players were resolute in their game plan.

Chrippes was quiet throughout, yet Sports couldn’t get the second goal. Half-time came and went, and the second half continued similarly. Then, as one would expect, Oxford could gamble a little more, and they came into the game with a 25mins to go. There were good chances at both ends. Luckily for Sports, Oxford also spurned their chances, and the game petered out for a 1:0 away win for Sports.

The Oxford hospitality was fantastic, and their players gave everything. You feel they will kick on this year and go on a run of form. Sports somewhat gratefully took the precious points and headed back down the A34 with a sense of relief.

Rory went to Captain Hollie Shaw for failing to count to 3 correctly.
Manager’s player went to Davis, who has been in fine form of late.
Players player went to Folkenstern for being a bright spark in an otherwise cagey affair.