Oxford united FC
Oxford United beat Stockport 1-0 in statement victory
The U’s extended their unbeaten run and League One to eight games and rose to third in the table whilst inflicting a first defeat in seven onto the Hatters.
Aaron Ramsey’s Yellows exploited Jimmy McNulty’s side’s high line to go ahead in the first half before creating more chances in the second.
A tired late push from Stockport saw Oxford defend their box impressively to see out a statement win.
It was almost an early celebration for Harris who found the net just seconds into proceedings, sweeping home Luka Lynch’s ball across but seeing the flag go up against him.
Louie Sibley strikes wide (Image: Steve Daniels)
Stockport hit back, Ryan Glover putting a shot wide before league top scorer Kyle Wootton headed just over the crossbar.
A half volley from Benony Andresson bounced over the bar before Harris flagged offside for a third time as he tried to exploit the Hatters’ high line.
The County no.9 forced the first save from Jamie Cumming who got down to push his second shot wide.
After plenty of tries, the Yellows finally exploited the visitors’ high line, Siriki Dembele being played in down the left and squaring it to Harris who picked his spot.
Midfielder Louie Sibley looked for a second with a powerful, deflected shot saved before Harris turned an attempt at the keeper which was almost identical to the one he scored.
Mark Harris and Siriki Dembele celebrates the former’s opening goal (Image: Steve Daniels)
Tyler Goodrham hit early in the second half, putting a shot just wide but Ryan Glover hit back with Cumming saving at his near post.
Consecutive blocks from Cameron Brannagan and Goodrham kept Stockport at bay before the U’s captain blasted an effort at an away shirt.
Cumming stopped another Glover effort shortly after, Dembele forcing a save at the other end moments later after a quick counter attack.
A curled effort high and wide from Sibley preceded the United keeper being called into action again, this time diving to deny Harry Wood.
The Hatters started to look for a later equaliser, Mikael Mandron firing into the side netting, but the U’s did not let up, Brannagan lashing a free kick at goal which Oliver Whatmuff batted away.
Mark Harris sees an early strike ruled out for offside (Image: Steve Daniels)
Gatlin O’Donkor then put an Aidomo Emakhu ball over the bar, Oxford defending their box well at the other end to see out big victory.
Yellows: Cumming, Kioso, Helik, Brown, Currie (Spencer 74), Brannagan, Sibley (Andrews 66), Lynch (O’Donkor 66), Goodrham (Emakhu 66), Dembele (Missanga 83), Harris
Hatters: Whatmuff, Bate (Mandron 71), Pye, O’Connell, Andresson (Diamond 67), Norwood (Fiorini 46), Glover, Wood (Adigun 66), Wootton, Osborn (Ennis 46), Jobe
Bookings: Currie; Pye
Oxford united FC
Aaron Ramsey gives Oxford injury update on Jin-woo, Roosken
The U’s have two cup fixtures ahead of them before the final international break of the calendar year, facing Stevenage in the FA Cup on Saturday before hosting Cheltenham Town in the Jersey Mike’s Trophy on Tuesday night.
Oxford go into the clash with Stevenage off the back of a 2-0 win over rivals Reading which saw them extend their League One unbeaten run to 10 games.
With another pause in league action on the horizon, it begs the question as to how close long-term absentees Jin-woo and Roosken are to returning to the pitch.
Both players picked up injuries in pre-season and have yet to make an appearance this season.
Explaining their possible return and timeframe, Ramsey said: “They’ve both been training with the team, so they’re progressing really nicely.
“Obviously, we’re still guided as well with the guys here who’ve done great work with them.
“They’ve both been in full training now. They’re going to have to build up their minutes as well.
Oxford United wing back Ruben Roosken (Image: Oxford United)
“What they’ve got through in training and the loads that they’ve done over the last few weeks has been really encouraging for us.”
When asked if supporters are most likely to the duo back on the pitch after the international break, the United head coach replied: “Maybe, but we’ll see.
“They’re in a position now where they will need some minutes over the coming weeks.
“When we do that, we’ll sit down and make the best decisions for them.”
READ MORE: Alfie Potter confident in Oxford City upset vs Leicester
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Oxford United’s Jeon Jin-woo (Image: Jason Dawson)
Ramsey also touched on the knock that centre back Michal Helik had picked up against Barnsley before then being withdrawn early in the win over Reading, saying: “Mish had a knock against Barnsley. He got through the week.
“He’s in a bit of an awkward position with a little bit of swelling.
“It can be a pretty sore one. Just managing that now over the next few days and seeing how that settles down.
“We’ll see whether he’ll be in the squad or not tomorrow and then go from there.”
As a manager who likes to rotate, fans can expect more of the same from Ramsey for the Yellows’ FA Cup First Round fixture on Saturday.
The U’s host a Stevenage side whom they have already beaten once this season, winning 2-1 away from home in the former Arsenal midfielder’s first competitive victory in charge.
Ramsey won three FA Cup titles with the Gunners and will be hoping for more success as a head coach.
He continued: “Obviously, it’s a competition that I’ve had a lot of success in.
“It means a lot to me and some of the experiences that you get in this competition are some of the best.”
Oxford united FC
Three arrested after Oxford United clash with Reading
Aiden Murray, 23, of Little Bury, Oxford, has been charged with one count of breaching a Football Banning Order.
He has been bailed to appear at Oxford Magistrates’ Court on January 14, 2027.
A 19-year-old man from Wokingham was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage after damage was caused to a bus.
He has since been released on conditional bail.
Police also arrested a 16-year-old boy from Reading on suspicion of a Section 5 Public Order Act offence and failing to provide details under Section 50 of the Police Reform Act.
He has been released on bail pending further enquiries.
The arrests came amid a major policing operation surrounding the Oxford United and Reading fixture.
Police put extra powers in place ahead of the game amid concerns over potential disorder.
A total of 19 Section 35 dispersals were issued across Reading and Oxford during the operation, four of which were issued by British Transport Police.
Section 60AA powers were also used, allowing officers to require individuals to remove face coverings.
Police said everyone asked to remove a face covering complied with officers’ requests and no breaches were recorded.
The fixture had seen an increased police presence in Oxford, including around the city’s railway station.
Police had also announced ahead of the match that dogs, drones and additional powers would be deployed as part of the operation.
Oxford united FC
Man charged after breaching football ban at Oxford United game
Thames Valley Police has confirmed that Aiden Murray, 23, of Little Bury, Oxford, has been charged with one count of breaching a Football Banning Order. He has been bailed to appear at Oxford Magistrates’ Court on 14 January 2027.
The police force has also confirmed that a 19-year-old man from Wokingham was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage after damage was caused to a bus. He has since been released on conditional bail.
A 16-year-old boy from Reading was also arrested on suspicion of a Section 5 Public Order Act offence and failing to provide details under Section 50 of the Police Reform Act. He has been released on bail pending further enquiries.
Thames Valley Police has also confirmed that there were 19 Section 35 dispersals issued in Reading and Oxford, four of which were issued by British Transport Police.
Whilst Section 60AA powers were used to require individuals to remove face coverings. All individuals complied with officers’ requests and, as such, no breaches were recorded.
A Section 35 order gives police officers and police community support officers (PCSOs) the power to direct individuals causing, or likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress to leave a specified area.
A Section 60AA order gives uniformed officers the power to require any person to remove items worn wholly or mainly to conceal their identity, such as face coverings, and to seize any item they reasonably believe is intended for that purpose.
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