Darren Patterson's first game ended in a victory today as United made it through to the next round of the FA Cup sponsored by E.ON with a 3-1 win over Northwich.
Patterson's reign began in the best possible style with a goal after just seven minutes. After an edgy first few minutes United put together the first real move of the match, and deservedly opened the scoring with a well worked goal. Slick passing freed Trainer on the right of the box and the midfielder curled in the perfect cross to the far post where Alex Jeannin, all on his own, applied a neat headed finish to beat keeper Tynan from six yards. Magnifique.
The early goal was just what was called for and United looked a yard sharper than their opponents, and ten yards faster than they did at Rushden. The movement of Odubade and St Aimie up front was giving them options and wing backs Day and Jeannin were doing more of the 'wing' part than the 'back'.
That presented a problem on fifteen minutes when Luke Horrocks exploited the space behind Day and fired in Northwich's first effort of the match, with Turley at full stretch to tip it over the bar, but United should have doubled their lead moments later as St Aimie out-muscled a defender but put in a poor pass with Odubade unmarked to his right.
Debutant Collins can be pleased with his first start, getting in some excellent challenges and showing excellent skills out on the right wing at one stage, and United were looking very composed at the back with Quinn sweeping up behind Collins and the hard tackling Luke Foster until another neat move gave Victoria an equalizer. Oxford Nemesis Lee Steele dragged two players into a challenge on half way, leaving space on the left wing for Horrocks to exploit. His pace took him to the edge of the box and a low cross was perfectly placed for Danny Williams to smash past Turley to make it 1-1.
From nowhere United were under pressure and a goal before half time was needed quickly. Step forward Yemi. On 43 minutes a long ball down the left cleared the Vics defence and left the U's top scorer with a run at goal. He advanced into the box, cut inside Dominic Taylor and Taylor foolishly thrust out a leg to bring the striker down. Yemi picked himself up and scored from the spot, even managing a little jink as he took the three steps before striking the ball home!
Back in the lead and control of the game United might have gone further ahead on 47 minutes had Jeannin caught a volley better from fifteen yards, but the rejuvenated midfield of Trainer, Bailey and Pettefer were seeing plenty of the ball and most of the game was being played in the Northwich half.
That sounds harsh on a Victoria side who were much better than their away record suggests, and who played with a passion and tempo which should see them climb away from there once their off-field problems are resolved, and the second half was hard fought and a typical cup tie in many ways but United were pretty much in control and a third goal was always more likely than an equaliser.
There was a welcome return from injury for Anaclet just after the hour (leaving just the nine players on the injured list!) and a rather lovely fireworks display from behind the North Stand to signal the last fifteen minutes and the appearance of Alex Fisher, but midfield dominance wasn't matched by efforts on goal in the second half to leave Northwich in with a chance of earning a replay right up until the 86th minute when a home grown goal saw them through. Fisher galloped away on the left and fizzed in a low cross which fellow sub Anaclet hammered home from five yards to spark great celebrations from the two Oxford boys and the relieved crowd.
A good start and an important win, and United's name goes into the draw for the second round, to be made on Sunday tea-time.
Report Chris Williams
Att: 2972
Away 288
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