Match Report | Oxford United

A rare goal from captain Barry Quinn gave United a hard fought win over battling Droylsden this afternoon. Quinn's first half strike sealed an important win for the U's as they made it six points from two matches and avenged defeat at the Butchers Arms earlier in the season.

With just one change from the side that beat Histon seven days previously, Eddie Anaclet replacing Yemi Odubade on the right wing, United started where they left off and if anything were guilty of overplaying at times. The confidence was there for all to see and with The Bloods content to leave just one man up front it became one way traffic very quickly.

Justin Richards, mobile and athletic throughout, chested a cross down for Matt Green to rifle at keeper Phillips on nine minutes, but it became clear that this would be no stroll in the late winter sunshine as Droylsden got men back and stifled the life out of United. Anaclet had a shot deflected over on 26 minutes, but top scorer Jody Banim drifted a shot only just wide two minutes later to confirm that the league's bottom team were growing in ambition as the minutes ticked away.

A goal was needed, and on 31 minutes it came from the captain. A slightly harsh decision saw a free kick awarded for a foul on Matt Green thirty yards out on the right. Adam Murray drilled the ball in, and for once the hitherto excellent Droylsden back line were nowhere to be seen, allowing Quinn to drift on to the ball unopposed eight yards home and slot a volley across the keeper and into the corner of the net for his first of the season. 'I've been telling the strikers all season to pass the ball into the net, no need to blast it' a delighted Quinn told us after.

It was no more than United had deserved and with Richards surging thirty yards and seeing his shot blocked on 39 and then Hutchinson heading the corner wide they might have doubled their lead before the break.

The second half was played in much the same fashion, with United passing neatly but unable to unlock the door and Droylsden toiling away like eleven men on bikes riding up a steep hill: totally committed but never really looking dangerous.

Michael Blackwood's left footed drive on 59 was flying into the net until it clipped a heel and went for a corner instead but United didn't truly hit their rhythm all afternoon and as their frustration grew and the game became niggly they turned to Yemi Odubade and then Danny Rose to try and find a second goal to kill off their stubborn visitors. It didn't ever look as though it was coming, with credit due to the Droylsden defence who stuck to their task manfully. Richards fired the best chance over the bar on 84, Droylsden missed a sitter in the fourth minute of injury time, but you know what? I'd rather write about a win when it hasn't been a great game than go home miserable after a defeat.

Only the second time United have won back to back games this season, the other back in August, and an important three points even if the fans won't be queuing up in the club shop to buy commemorative DVDs of the match.