Back from the Oxford Martyrs...

Luckily it's not 1555 and no one will be burned at the stake for heresy as the 100 City faithful in a crowd of ~1,000 were pretty much Farke followers and I only heard one shout of "get it forward" all night.

A City U21 side, weakened by their own international call ups, held their own against an Oxford side that showed a number of changes from their last game. The first half was an even affair with City making raids forward using the familiar Farke ball style; playing across the back four and transition through midfield passing and balls wide to overlapping full backs... all very familiar, if not quite as polished or accurate.

Oxford were robust but City matched them most of the time. Only in the last few minutes was Johnson in the City goal really tested and he pulled off a couple of very good saves. Up front City were caught offside on a number of occasions and a few through balls were over hit, but it was a pretty good showing.

Jones and Famewo as the Centre Backs looked fairly assured and strong. Milovanovic and Hondermarck in midfield showing what they could do.

Oxford opened the second half brighter and there were some skirmishes in and around the City box and one good shout for a penalty, luckily waved away. Johnson again made a couple of good saves and the City attacks were fewer but we did start to press harder and won a little more possession, higher up the pitch.

A lovely ball from Hondermarck set Hutchinson free, and having evaded the offside this time, he slotted home comfortably.

Oxford noticeably stepped up but the City defence were pretty solid. The equaliser had a touch of fortune to it as a stoppage required a restart of play near the City penalty area. The law change means the side in possession are given the ball (no contested drop balls anymore) and even though the Ref moved it back a yard or two, the City defence stood off too far and directly from the restart, Oxford slotted home from just inside the box.

City continued to strive forward but I sensed a bit of tiredness and with four minutes to go Oxford worked some space on their left and a very good strike from the edge of the area gave Johnson no chance.

City attempted to up their game again but Oxford were already s**thousing the time away. A couple of good attacks down the left provided good balls into the box, but they just didn't fall.

To everyone's surprise, the Ref added 6 minutes and City made two substitutions going with, almost, three up front but it wasn't to be and the Ref finally blew with a City attack down the right, which was blocked and went out fo4 an Oxford throw.

A god evening's entertainment and better than som U23 games I saw last year. A good effort by the lads who deservedly got a warm cheer and applause from the City fans... and to a man they all came over and acknowledged the travelling support.

Onward and upward in this particular competition, back to Crawley for some revenge in October.

OTBC

Posted By: Worthing Yellow, Sep 4, 00:57:39