Oxford United 1 (Raynes 90+5), Barnet 0 (From The Oxford Times)
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Oxford United 1 (Raynes 90+5), Barnet 0
9:51pm Tuesday 12th March 2013 in Sport
By David Pritchard, Chief Sports Reporter covering Oxford United. Follow us on twitter: @oxfordmailoufc. Call me on 01865 425458
Alfie Potter shoots for goal against Barnet
MICHAEL Raynes headed a dramatic winner deep into stoppage time to give Oxford United a precious win over Barnet.
The home side had dominated the game for long spells, but a lack of composure in front of goal looked costly.
A goalless draw appeared to be on the cards, before Raynes nodded in Tom Craddock's header across the face of goal, much to the relief of the home fans.
United were worthy winners, but it should not have been such a tense evening.
James Constable spurned three clear chances before the break, before setting up Alfie Potter to blaze over early in the second half.
The chances began to dry up, but Raynes's intervention claimed a vital three points.
U's boss Chris Wilder made just one change to the starting line-up from Saturday's 3-1 win at Torquay.
It was enforced, with Josh Parker coming in for the injured Tony Capaldi, while a fit-again Liam Davis had to make do with a place on the bench as Luke O'Brien was preferred at left back.
Barnet arrived in good form, but began cautiously and invited the home side to control the game from the outset.
Sean Rigg and Raynes headed early chances off target, but United grew into the game.
On 16 minutes a surge by Damian Batt created the first good opportunity.
The full back's swashbuckling run took him from inside United's half to the edge of Barnet's penalty area.
Instead of shooting he picked out Rigg, whose shot was blocked by Bees goalkeeper Graham Stack. The ball looped out for Batt, to volley just wide.
Barnet showed a real intention to play their way out at the back, which caused them problems at times on the uneven surface.
The visitors struggled to cross the halfway line in the first half, but they should have opened the scoring on 20 minutes.
A cross from the left came to Luke Gambin and the youngster fizzed a ball across the six-yard box which striker Dani Lopez somehow failed to convert.
It was the only time the Bees threatened before the break, but it served as a reminder to the home side, who quickly resumed their search for a goal.
Stack presented James Constable with a clear opening on 25 minutes when he dropped a corner, but the striker volleyed over wildly from close range.
United's joint top scorer, who netted the opener at Torquay, had another good opportunity to claim his 13th goal of the season ten minutes later.
A long throw from Scott Davies fell invitingly and this time he kept the shot on target, only to hit Dave Stephens and fly wide.
His final chance of the half came when Josh Parker beat Edgar Davids out wide and whipped in a low cross, which Constable mis-kicked.
It took the hosts just a minute after the restart to force the next opening. Constable was again involved, showing a deft touch to play in Potter, who blazed over left-footed with only Stack to beat.
At the other end Luke McCormick was brought into the game for the first time on 50 minutes.
The lively Gambin pulled a ball back to Mark Byrne, unmarked on the penalty spot, but his low shot was kept out smartly by McCormick.
As the hour mark came and went with no breakthrough the home fans began to get restless for the first time.
Deane Smalley came on for Parker midway through the half in an effort to get the hosts firing again.
Their momentum was not helped by a stoppage which lasted several minutes while the goal Barnet were attacking was repaired.
A shot from Mauro Vilhete hit the side netting and snapped the cord attaching it to the pole behind the goal.
When play resumed United again struggled to create the quality of chances they had done before the break.
Barnet grew bolder as time began to run out and had the ball in the net on 85 minutes.
A corner fell to Andy Yiadom turned and fired in, but the referee spotted a handball from the substitute.
Gambin broke the net for a second time with a volley which flew a whisker wide, leading to another unwelcome stoppage.
When play got under way again United forced a corner which yielded a chance for Whing, who could only fire wide off balance.
The game looked up for the home side, but deep into stoppage time Liam Davis was fouled out wide.
Davies's free-kick found Tom Craddock at the back post. He headed back across goal, where Raynes was on hand to bundle a header into the net.
There was still time for a nervous moment at the other end, when Batt scooped a clearance over his own crossbar.
From the corner McCormick dropped the ball but gathered to seal a dramatic victory.
Comments(27)
dorsetyellows
says...
10:09pm Tue 12 Mar 13
COYY.
burdett
says...
10:11pm Tue 12 Mar 13
Bathyellow
says...
10:38pm Tue 12 Mar 13
oldun
says...
11:27pm Tue 12 Mar 13
Richard Wickson
says...
11:29pm Tue 12 Mar 13
BigAlBiker
says...
11:32pm Tue 12 Mar 13
Chapman scored again I see, and Luton lost, a good day all round.
Bathyellow
says...
11:47pm Tue 12 Mar 13
oldun
says...
5:53am Wed 13 Mar 13
And now you’re gonna believe me
And now you’re gonna believe meeeeeeee
The Us are going up
The Us are going up
The Us are going up
And now you’re gonna believe meeeeeeee
The Us are going up
and here I am again with those same sad things – don’t read em “(A) in my opinion CW must go if we are not in the third div in August 2013 (B) in my opinion from those who apply to be our next manager, each one of us will be able to select many many who should do much better than CW (C) in my opinion coming up with a managerial wish list is a waste of time (D) in the opinion of most I suspect Heslop is poor (E) in my opinion we can still go up in 2013 but if we do we will need to vastly improve our squad (F) if the new manager struggles in the 4th div after he has had a decent length as our manager then I will want him to go - even if I had thought him to be a great appointment !! (G) Heslop is not good enough for United (H) for certain - abuse from internet bullies doesn't bother me - I enjoy their wit" I sincerely hope that your life is half as good as mine is (and has been) - if so then you are a very lucky one. Yes, I have heard the medication one so many times. Violins play.
Chish and Fips
says...
7:22am Wed 13 Mar 13
Southstandupper
says...
7:50am Wed 13 Mar 13
Magiltonmagic.
says...
9:12am Wed 13 Mar 13
Finally, oldun, DON'T listen to stupid s***don fans no one has bullied you, Like you, I and they have expressed an opinion we might not always agree but WE all want OUFC to be successful.
Yellowlines
says...
9:18am Wed 13 Mar 13
Magiltonmagic. wrote:Good shout. I agree.
Great result last night and great to see the lads keep going to the last whistle,On the subject of McCormick I was one of many who did'nt agree with the signing but believe now we should offer him a long term contract A. Because he is a class keeper B. There must be doubts about RC fitness not just for the start of next season but in general, and C. You can bet your life clubs will be queuing up to sign McCormick now CW and IL made the brave decision to sign him.
Finally, oldun, DON'T listen to stupid s***don fans no one has bullied you, Like you, I and they have expressed an opinion we might not always agree but WE all want OUFC to be successful.
Bathyellow
says...
9:40am Wed 13 Mar 13
Bathyellow
says...
9:45am Wed 13 Mar 13
Richard Wickson
says...
10:21am Wed 13 Mar 13
adlibber
says...
10:21am Wed 13 Mar 13
35 year fan
says...
10:44am Wed 13 Mar 13
Chish and Fips wrote:Big AlBiker is outside FA HQ as we speak with a loudhailer making this point to the bigwigs inside.
CW must be a candidate for Manager of the Month now after all this.
BigAlBiker
says...
2:12pm Wed 13 Mar 13
35 year fan wrote:Hahaha, i think not, although i will praise the FA for sending a decent referee last night, i don't think he got a single decision wrong and that goes for both teams, this makes a refreshing change because for some time now we have had Sunday league refs who were rubbish.
Chish and Fips wrote:Big AlBiker is outside FA HQ as we speak with a loudhailer making this point to the bigwigs inside.
CW must be a candidate for Manager of the Month now after all this.
I still maintain that CW has to go is we want to progress.
oldun
says...
2:20pm Wed 13 Mar 13
Yellowlines wrote:It depends how you define the word bully . I received on this forum obnoxious insults from two fellow United fans . Life might not be too rosy for them - we all go through bad times in our personal lives. Nuff sed - I am sure that they are not 'losers' - I have found that many bullies are - says a 10 stones granddad
Magiltonmagic. wrote:Good shout. I agree.
Great result last night and great to see the lads keep going to the last whistle,On the subject of McCormick I was one of many who did'nt agree with the signing but believe now we should offer him a long term contract A. Because he is a class keeper B. There must be doubts about RC fitness not just for the start of next season but in general, and C. You can bet your life clubs will be queuing up to sign McCormick now CW and IL made the brave decision to sign him.
Finally, oldun, DON'T listen to stupid s***don fans no one has bullied you, Like you, I and they have expressed an opinion we might not always agree but WE all want OUFC to be successful.
Manor Born
says...
5:03pm Wed 13 Mar 13
We would have lost last night's game before Christmas and certainly in the February spell where we couldn't get a point for love or money. Last night's game could have easily seen us hit by a sucker punch, but thankfully it didn't and all of a sudden, some hope has returned with a rare sight of the ball being bundled on from a free-kick. We see too little of that, so it was a good thing to see.
Well done to Chris Wilder and his team. Having Andy Whing back as the midfield enforcer certainly helps a lot. Would certainly be up there for player of the season again - the difference he makes to the team's shape, balance and his commitment should be an inspiration to the supporters and the rest of the team. For me, his staying fit is key to the rest of our season.
Take the plaudits this week as they are thoroughly deserved - just as criticism of last week was also completely warranted. All of us - BigAl, Richard Wickson, Oldun, Southstandupper, Magiltonmagic, myself want the same thing - a successful Oxford United. Most of us also understand that it can't come at any cost - we've gone down the route of exceeding our means in the past and it is not pleasant when it goes tits up - especially for those who then aren't paid for months.
As I have always said, I have no desire for the chairman to put in more money than is necessary - and quite frankly if the chairman wanted to put in less, that is his prerogative - it's his money he's spending. It's a worry that currently he is having to invest so heavily as it is.
He could walk tomorrow and rid himself of the burden if he so wanted or desired - just as a certain chairman from down the road did at the end of January and we would find ourselves in a similar plight. Let's hope this doesn't happen.
Get behind the team during the game, whatever you think of the chairman or the manager - and most know where I stand on this, the players deserve the support. They are custodians of the yellow shirts and are representing us to the best of their ability.
hawkeye1
says...
9:40pm Wed 13 Mar 13
the Blood Sucker Kassam is going to make it as hard as he can for Oxford to purchase the ground, he will keep putting up the rent, keep increasing the cost to buy the ground, meanwhile by doing that he drives away potential customers to the flea pit of a hotel next door, that travel down to games, and while his name in any way is linked to the club, investors just will not show any interest, I pray for the day they pull his name off of the wall and all the directions signs to the ground, think when that happenes Oxford should have one giant street party.
Richard Wickson
says...
9:42pm Wed 13 Mar 13
Manor Born wrote:First class post (are you a Postman) Manor Born, I hope others see that we are all fans. Some criticise the likes of you and me and others you mention for being negative but we have seen it all before, the good, the bad and the downright ugly, some we want to see again others we are determined not to. Like me you speak from the heart and I am sure that others that criticise us do too, we all want success and this club we care about to do well. We know that not every season can end in promotion and glory. All we ask for is occasionally the club does get a bit of glory so that we all, the players, the chairman, the manager, the back room staff, the office staff, the tea lady and the fans can enjoy it. Consistency is needed and quick. That's the first building block we need. The rest will surely follow!
Can't really see us going up this season - we're way too inconsistent, but would be very happy to be proved wrong.
We would have lost last night's game before Christmas and certainly in the February spell where we couldn't get a point for love or money. Last night's game could have easily seen us hit by a sucker punch, but thankfully it didn't and all of a sudden, some hope has returned with a rare sight of the ball being bundled on from a free-kick. We see too little of that, so it was a good thing to see.
Well done to Chris Wilder and his team. Having Andy Whing back as the midfield enforcer certainly helps a lot. Would certainly be up there for player of the season again - the difference he makes to the team's shape, balance and his commitment should be an inspiration to the supporters and the rest of the team. For me, his staying fit is key to the rest of our season.
Take the plaudits this week as they are thoroughly deserved - just as criticism of last week was also completely warranted. All of us - BigAl, Richard Wickson, Oldun, Southstandupper, Magiltonmagic, myself want the same thing - a successful Oxford United. Most of us also understand that it can't come at any cost - we've gone down the route of exceeding our means in the past and it is not pleasant when it goes tits up - especially for those who then aren't paid for months.
As I have always said, I have no desire for the chairman to put in more money than is necessary - and quite frankly if the chairman wanted to put in less, that is his prerogative - it's his money he's spending. It's a worry that currently he is having to invest so heavily as it is.
He could walk tomorrow and rid himself of the burden if he so wanted or desired - just as a certain chairman from down the road did at the end of January and we would find ourselves in a similar plight. Let's hope this doesn't happen.
Get behind the team during the game, whatever you think of the chairman or the manager - and most know where I stand on this, the players deserve the support. They are custodians of the yellow shirts and are representing us to the best of their ability.
stephen burrows
says...
11:26pm Wed 13 Mar 13
BigAlBiker
says...
8:12am Thu 14 Mar 13
stephen burrows wrote:Must be a relative of IL.
We should get behind the chairman and the team. We are extremely fortunate that the chairman is able and willing to stand alongside the club. We should be grateful to such a sincere benefactor to our club.
Never mind.
Oxon21
says...
7:41am Fri 15 Mar 13
Richard Wickson wrote:I'm sure under the term of our lease I would be surprised if we still didn't have to pay the rent even if we left. That would cripple us more.
Ownership of the stadium is the holy grail, while we don't own it the club will always struggle but as a previous comment said Kassam moves the goalposts on price. I also agree its a ruddy awful stadium and we need to look elsewhere. If we go and London Welsh get relegated Kassam could be left with egg on his face and that's a picture that would delight me. Bring it on! Great result despite another catalogue of missed chances.
Richard Wickson
says...
11:42am Sat 16 Mar 13
Oxon21 wrote:I am sure you are correct. Kassam and his legal team appear to have stitched us up under the agreement originally signed by Nick Merry, as good intentioned as he was in taking OU over It seems his desire blinded his business acumen when he agreed the deal on the ground, it is a millstone around the clubs neck.
Richard Wickson wrote:I'm sure under the term of our lease I would be surprised if we still didn't have to pay the rent even if we left. That would cripple us more.
Ownership of the stadium is the holy grail, while we don't own it the club will always struggle but as a previous comment said Kassam moves the goalposts on price. I also agree its a ruddy awful stadium and we need to look elsewhere. If we go and London Welsh get relegated Kassam could be left with egg on his face and that's a picture that would delight me. Bring it on! Great result despite another catalogue of missed chances.
35 year fan says...
10:08pm Tue 12 Mar 13