The U’s beat Rovers 1-0 at the Kassam on Wednesday night thanks to Jamie Donley’s first-half strike and maiden goal for the club.

Yellows boss Bloomfield honoured Amelia, who tragically passed away last weekend at the age of 15, after the victory.

“It’s very bittersweet,” the 42-year-old said.

“What we wanted to do tonight, above anything else, is make sure we pay tribute to Amelia and her family in the correct manner, with the dignity and respect that she deserved, and they deserved.

“For her teammates and her parents to join us on the pitch for the minute’s silence and our supporters observed it immaculately, both sets of supporters, so thank you to them for that.

“Tonight was about dedicating the evening to Amelia.

Tributes left for Amelia Aplin outside the Kassam Stadium (Image: Submit)

“She’ll live forever in our hearts.

“I hope her family will be friends of the football club forever.

Applause at the 15-minute mark for Amelia Aplin. 💛 #oufc 🟡 pic.twitter.com/WCCw0FllJ6

— malachi (@MalachiObrey) March 11, 2026

“We had to make sure we paid the best respects we possibly could to such a devastating loss for her family.

“The last few days have been tough because football pales in significance in a moment like this because human life is far more important and family losing a daughter and teammates losing a friend is far more important.

Oxford United manager Matt Bloomfield (Image: Gary Oakley/PA Wire)

READ MORE: Oxford United striker snubbed Middlesbrough and Ipswich Town

“We wanted to perform with respect and perform properly to show the best light of ourselves on such an important evening for us.

“I don’t want to understate how important the game was for us, but in those circumstances it’s a distant second. But we’ve got a really important season that we want to go and execute.

HUGE win over Blackburn for Oxford United who are now only in the relegation zone in goal difference. 👏#oufc 🟡 pic.twitter.com/AmaLCmGTrJ

— malachi (@MalachiObrey) March 11, 2026

READ MORE: Oxford United boss and captain pay tribute to Amelia Aplin

“I didn’t want to let Amelia and her family down with a poor performance and not do her justice, so it was really important that we tried to put the two together which I think we did.”

Jamie Donley celebrates scoring his first Oxford United goal against Blackburn Rovers (Image: Oxford United)

Oxford’s admirable performance at the Kassam sees them climb to 22nd in the Championship table, level on points with Leicester City above them and only in the relegation zone on goal difference.

READ MORE: Oxford United beat Blackburn Rovers to extend winning run

With three consecutive wins under their belt for the first time in over a year, Bloomfield’s team are all of a sudden in with a real chance of staying up this season and carry unique momentum going into the final nine games.

“The table will be as it is at the end of the season, we have to just keep going after our work, concentrating on the performances,” Bloomfield added.

“We have to…play the games that are in front of us, not the perception of the situation of the table or anything else.”

The U’s have won three on the trot after dispatching of Blackburn Rovers in a Championship win at the Kassam as the fight for relegation sparks into life.

Tottenham Hotspur loanee Jamie Donley bagged the only goal of the game, finding the net for the first time in a yellow shirt as United find themselves in fine form.

After Yellows head coach Bloomfield dedicated Wednesday’s win to academy goalkeeper Amelia Aplin who tragically lost her life last Saturday, here is the rest of what he had to say in his post-match interview.

Thoughts on the performance:

I thought we were very good in the first half. Some of the football we played, our pressing, some of the energy we showed, was really good.

Second half, we came out and were a little bit erratic. We gave away a corner early on and I didn’t like our shape for five minutes. Then we got a foothold and probably the biggest disappointment of the night is to not have been two or three ahead and been a bit more comfortable at the end.

Yunus Konak runs with the ball for Oxford United (Image: Oxford United)

It was a bit nervy at the end, and it wasn’t very nice. I didn’t enjoy it at all, that last bit. Because, at 1-0, it only takes a moment. So, I’m disappointed we didn’t put the game to bed, but to come out with a clean sheet and three points is really pleasing.

If we’d conceded, we’d have all been really disappointed and it would’ve been unjust in my opinion. We should’ve been comfortable at the end, we should’ve been two or three ahead.

There’s plenty more for us to chase and that’s what we need to keep doing. It’s been a very nice three games, a really profitable three games for us.

HUGE win over Blackburn for Oxford United who are now only in the relegation zone in goal difference. 👏 #oufc 🟡 pic.twitter.com/AmaLCmGTrJ

— malachi (@MalachiObrey) March 11, 2026

Jamie Donley’s impact on the team:

It was my first day when he injured his shoulder at Milton Keynes, so we’ve had to be patient to get him back.

We know that he’s a good player. He had a great season at Leyton Orient last year and he helps knit us together in that 10. We’re really pleased with him.

Jamie Donley celebrates scoring his first Oxford United goal against Blackburn Rovers (Image: Oxford United)

He just tired a little bit at the end, but for him to get his first goal, he just gives us that little bit of creativity. He’s a very intelligent footballer, so we’re really pleased to have him, and we hope there’s more to come in the next few games.

I think he’s been a really important factor in that amongst other important factors. He can land on the ball, he can find a pass, he can switch play, he can knit the game together.

He’s working really hard out of possession. Him and Will have got a really good understanding because of their history together.

Applause at the 15-minute mark for Amelia Aplin. 💛#oufc 🟡 pic.twitter.com/WCCw0FllJ6

— malachi (@MalachiObrey) March 11, 2026

He’s been a really important cog in the wheel at the moment, and I believe there’s more to come from him in the Championship. He’s still a young player, first season at this level, and he’s still getting used to the speed of the game in terms of coming back from his injury.

READ MORE: Matt Bloomfield dedicates Oxford United win to Amelia Aplin

The team staying unchanged for the last three matches:

You always have to consider, but it would’ve taken a big argument to change anything after the level of performance at Preston.

READ MORE: Oxford United beat Blackburn Rovers to extend winning run

I think once we get further down the line and we’ve been working together with the players for a lot longer, it’s easier to change things and still see the same character and performance levels. At the moment, because we’re still relatively new in the building, you risk upsetting that if you change too much.

Oxford United manager Matt Bloomfield gestures on the touchline (Image: Martin Rickett/PA Wire)

Having said that, it’s a really quick turnaround to Saturday, so the chances of changes for Saturday is probably a lot higher than what it was from Friday to Wednesday.

READ MORE: Oxford United boss and captain pay tribute to Amelia Aplin

The U’s momentum:

You have to love and cherish it because it can go as quickly as it comes around. If we don’t keep our feet on the ground and stay humble with it, then the game finds a way of kicking you when you least expect it.

READ MORE: Oxford United striker snubbed Middlesbrough and Ipswich Town

Injuries ahead of Charlton:

There are a couple of knocks actually. One of the lads is carrying something that’s a big doubt for the weekend so there might be one enforced change.

But it’s so soon after the game that it’s hard to know so soon where the lads are at.

The 15-year-old died at the weekend after collapsing during on the pitch during a ‘Junior Premier League’ match last Saturday.

The game between the U’s and Rovers in the Championship was paused on the 15th minute for a minute’s applause to remember the young player.

Meanwhile, flowers, scarves and messages were left draped on the bronze ox statue outside the Kassam Stadium.

Players and fans of the Lancashire side have been thanked for their respect during the match.

READ MORE: Emotional tributes for Oxford footballer Amelia Aplin

One Oxford fan said: “Thank you to the Blackburn team and supporters for their respect for our academy player Amelia Aplin who passed away at the weekend.”

Another added: “Thank you Blackburn team and supporters for your tremendous support and respect for Amelia Aplin’s family and family and teammates.

“Your team put on a performance that they put everything into it, good luck for the rest of the season. From Oxford United fan.”

Oxford boss Matt Bloomfield said: “Both sets of supporters observed the minute’s silence immaculately and thank you to them for that.

“Tonight was about dedicating the evening to Amelia, she’ll live forever in our hearts, her family will be friends of the football club forever and we had to make sure we paid the best respects for such a devastating loss for her family.”

Blackburn Rovers’ spokesman said: “Everyone at Blackburn Rovers sends our deepest condolences to Amelia’s family, friends and all at Oxford United at this incredibly sad time.

“Rest in peace, Amelia.”