Two goals in a minute, either side of half time, from Phil Trainer gave United a convincing win over Stafford Rangers this afternoon and made it nine points from the opening four games. A late strike from Craig McAughtrie made it more anxious than it needed to be, but The U's were more dominant than the scoreline suggests .
Jim Smith made one change to the team that came back from behind to beat Burton on Sunday.Michael Standing recovered from injury and replaced Luke Foster in the middle of midfield.It only took Standing five minutes to make a telling contribution when United worked the ball well through midfield, and the midfielder played a neat ball into the path of Odubade, but the away defence managed to clear the danger.
The move was an early indication of the way that Oxford were looking to play and three minutes later United gave the home fans another example. Standing released the overlapping Anaclet down the right where his cross found Eddie Hutchinson inches away from converting with his head.
Jeannin saw a free-kick saved by Danny Alcock in the 20th minute and then the same two players repeated the scenario five minutes later and although United were more than shading the possession at this stage of the match, they were unable to turn the dominance into goals.
To be fair to the visitors, David Oldfield and Phil Robinson had organized their troops well and they were making it difficult for an increasingly frustrated United side to break them down. It was important that Oxford continued to try to play the ball on the deck, get it wide and try to bring United's midfielders into the game.
A goal right on the break was exactly what was needed and right on cue Oxford took the lead on the dot of 45 minutes. More Oxford pressure forced Stafford back, Standing played a neat ball into Jeannin who in turn played in Phil Trainer who finished low to score his first goal for United. It was a neat finish to round off a half which had seen United dominate, and rather ruined Stafford's game plan.
That game plan was ripped up and thrown in the air 19 seconds into the second half when Trainer steamed United 2-0 up. The former plumber had had an eye catching first half, and when he received the ball 25 yards from goal his confidence was high enough for him to take a touch, look up and lash an unstoppable shot past keeper Danny Alcock for a terrific goal which brought the crowd of 4,617 to their feet. The 89 away fans contented themselves with an afternoon in the sun and a fourth defeat of the season, and were probably as surprised as the home fans to see the closing stages become so nervy because at that stage United were enjoying themselves and tearing Rangers apart.
Odubade had a shot saved on 52 after a swift break, and then on 54 the excellent Danny Rose, on as a half time sub, and Hutchinson freed Anaclet, whose cross was met by Yemi once more, only for the baldy headed McAughtrie and keeper Alcock to somehow get the shot up and over the bar. Another Yemi shot forced Alcock into action once more two minutes later and it was one way traffic.Only a rugby tackle stopped Yemi on 63, a foul spotted by everyone except ref Creighton, and Trainer will never have a better chance of a hat-trick than the one he had on 79 as he lashed the ball into the car park with the goal at his mercy after a low cross from the impressive Anaclet.
Sub Marvin Robinson almost made it 3-0 on 73 and then 74 minutes, firstly being denied only by the toe of a defender's boot on the line as the big striker swiveled and shot from five yards out, and then powering a header over a minute later. So nearly Marvellous.
Stafford had stuck to their rigid guns and had looked crushed, but on 77 minutes were give a lifeline when Mickey Corcoran slid in for a perfect challenge but saw the ball inadvertently catch his trailing arm. A free kick was awarded and McAughtrie drilled it low and hard right through the wall and past the stranded Turley.
It turned what had been fun in the sun into a sweaty finale, although Anaclet could have sealed it when he put a left footed shot wide on 83 after a mazy run through the visitors' defence. Never mind. Three more points and a hundred percent home record so far. With two home games to follow the trip to Stevenage on Monday United's train is right on track.
See all the action in GALLERY
Hear Jim Smith and Phil Trainer in Yellow World
Report Chris Williams and Julian Hitchman. Pictures Steve Daniels and Darrell Fisher
