Oxford vs Scunny

[Marked Ox]

A rather enjoyable injury time winner from Curtis Nelson (although Phil Edwards is also claiming it also) meant we win 2-1. Game was affected by the wind, Scunny had the advantage in the 1st half while we had it in the 2nd.

Neither team were particularly good, even taking into the conditions, although we did rest regulars (Johnson, Maguire, Hall and Ledson were on the bench) but don't know if Scunny had their full team out or not. If so, it looks distinctly possible they could fall out of the play offs altogether based on that performance (I'm saying this expecting us to finish around 9th to 12th).

Scunny's goal and our 1st goal were both good team goals and John Lundstram was unlucky with his effort that hit the underside of the bar. But overall not a great game although with a great ending.

 

[ThisTinpotLeague]

In the first half Scunthorpe looked reasonable. Closed us down well and we couldn't play it out from the back, resorted to chipping it for a teenager to chase. Never works and was quite reminiscent of what Rovers did to us, except Scunthorpe didn't create enough to get a two goal lead and kill it off.

Second half we were the better team but we got a bit of luck with Edwards being off side and one of their players missed a golden chance on a counter attack. We went close with a couple of chances ourselves but it was a low key game.

Very telling team choice - this game would have been an absolute must win if the play offs were our focus yet we rest our four best players? That said, makes the victory all the more impressive.

If we bloody beat Bolton then I'd probably get a flicker of hope again.

 

[Marked Ox]

Scunny didn't make enough of the conditions in the 1st half and I don't think they were even reasonable as they had one chance (and scored it with a good goal) whilst we were very poor. The 1st half was basically played between the penalty areas with very little threat to the them from either team. Their no.8 got a bit chippy in the 1st half, it looked like he was more interested in a ruck/battle than creating something for his team at times. And I did LOL at the belly flop by their no.6 trying to get a penalty.

2nd half, we were the better team but only reasonable compared to other games. Imo Edwards wasn't offside for the 2nd goal (Highlights not conclusive either way) but we were lucky with their chance on the break as thankfully it was a poor finish, although it came from a blatant foul on McAleny just outside the box. Also Sercs should have scored when shooting straight at the keeper (still a good reaction from the keeper to save it) as either side was a goal.

Agree it was a low key game, a funny one really but with a lovely finish. If we play like that again we will lose against Bolton. I expect those 4 rested players will start against Bolton also.

 

[ThisTinpotLeague]

There's a YouTube video where I think Edwards is 100% off.

McAlney might have got a free kick if he went down - or if he just lost the ball - but he waited until he got into the area and then took a pretty acrobatic fall so I don't think we can complain too much.

Agreed Scunthorpe didn't create much themselves but they absolutely shut us down and that's why I said reasonable - they're still away from home against a side 4 or 5 places below them, so a half where you take the lead and aren't under any threat whatsoever has to be considered a success. Accept I couldn't actually feel the wind at all from where I was sat though, clearly it played a bigger role from what people are saying.

 

[Marked Ox]

Still don't think it is conclusive (looking on a small screen though) but very close. One of those that it depends on which way the lino errs on, a 50/50 with the official so to speak.

On the McAleny foul, the Ref gave them a very similar foul in the middle of the pitch when their player made a meal of a 2nd challenge afterwards but gave it for the 1st challenge. He had done a woeful dive around 10 mins earlier but then so did the Scunny player who got the similar foul given.

Tbf they were defending against what can only be described as one of our weakest attacking set ups for our squad this season.