Match Report | Oxford United

United's remarkable end of the season continued with yet another away win today as they powered past Woking. Goals from Yemi Odubade and Phil Trainer did the trick and further stoked the belief that Darren Patterson's army are mustering ready for a far stronger campaign next time around.

The first action came on six minutes when Adam Murray set the tone with a magnificent pass which split the Woking back line wide open. Yemi Odubade was 30/70 to get to the ball but home keeper Ross Worner made the odd decision to backtrack and allow Odubade a clear run at him, a decision almost vindicated when Odubade put his shot too close to the keeper and allowed him to save.

It should have been the opener, but United were bossing the opening exchanges and a 25 yard effort from former Card Craig McAllister tested Worner again on 18 minutes. A goal was on the cards in every way, and on 20 it was from top scorer Odubade. Turley under pressure cleared long, Hand got on the ball and knocked it over defender Lorraine and Odubade made up for the earlier miss by drilling a left footer under the keeper and into the corner for United's first goal against Woking in four attempts.

Woking had hardly been in it but there was always danger whenever Guiseppe Sole got on the ball, and on 24 minutes his 25 yard free kick only just cleared the bar. Other than that there was little from open play to worry the solid central pairing of Quinn and Day and United were looking comfortable enough as the game became bogged down on a boggy pitch. A rare break on 41 saw Marvin Morgan break through and force Turley to come swiftly off his line to save well and the only real danger was that a red card was going to come, with the otherwise excellent Hand, Clarke and Day all booked before the break.

Odubade's confidence is high and The Cards were struggling to deal with him. With McAllister linking things nicely against his old club it was all very encouraging for the drenched away fans lining one side of the Kingfield stadium until a sloppy moment let the home side back in. On 56 minutes Michael Howard had the chance to clear long but knocked it short for Trainer instead. Trainer also declined the chance to clear and when Howard was dispossessd by Morgan almost on the by-line Howard left a leg for him to tumble over. Ref Whitton accepted the offer to award a penalty, a correct decision even if Martin did fall like he'd been struck numb by a poisoned blow dart from the stand. Sole hit his spot kick well but Turley was down to his left to save, only for the rebound to go straight to Sole to make it 1-1.

The goal lifted the previously lethargic home side while United were further hindered by Mickey Howard having to come off with concussion after a blow to the head in the first half finally took its toll. The niggle factor continued to grow as both sets of fans lost patience with ref Whitton and for an end of season fixture there were a ridiculous number of cards and frayed tempers.

Having seen Woking have their best spell of the game United regrouped and started to rise again, and that earned its reward on 77 minutes as they regained the lead thanks to an error from home keeper Worner. A shinned cross from the once again excellent Anaclet was heading out of play but Worner had lost his bearings and tipped it away for a corner rather than leaving it for a goal kick. Earlier in the season United were conceding goals in similar fashion so how fitting that OUFC MKII are now profiting from them. Murray floated in the perfect corner and there was makeshift left back Phil 'The Power' Trainer to head (ahem) powerfully home at the far post to continue his fine scoring form. What a fine end to the season Trainer has enjoyed.

And what a pleasure to see United notch another win on the road. Having looked like a crumbling ruin in the first half of the season United now have very solid foundations to build for the new one.