Oxford united FC
Charlton Athletic boss fuming over Oxford United penalty
Will Lankshear went down in the box after a nudge from Kayne Ramsay, Cameron Brannagan slotting the spot kick away 675 days after he netted the U’s last penalty in May 2024.
Oxford failed to hang onto the lead though, Ciaron Brown pulling on the shirt of Lloyd Jones to give Charlton a late lifeline which Charlie Kelman scored in the 93rd minute.
Addicks boss Jones was not happy with both the penalty decision against his side and his team’s performance.
“Am I happy with the level of performance? Absolutely not, especially second half,” the Welshman declared.
“They didn’t stick to the game plan, didn’t listen to a thing I said at half time, and that’s why we came unstuck and conceded.
“I mean, the penalty, I’ve got to choose my words very carefully, an extremely poor decision.
“Saying that, we showed character, we threatened and we probably looked most likely to have won it in the end.
“[Referees] get swayed by crowds and emotion and don’t just make clear decisions.
“You can’t step outside your technical area because they’re right on you and they’ll give bookings and stuff. It’s the poorest of decisions.”
There were not many arguments about the penalty that Brown conceded for Oxford, with Jones saying: “Only a fool wouldn’t have given it.”
Away from refereeing decisions, the Charlton manager was not happy with his team’s display at the Kassam.
“[The players] just didn’t listen at half time.
READ MORE: Matt Bloomfield dedicates Oxford United win to Amelia Aplin
“We played into [Oxford’s] hands. They sit off and want you to play easy, basic, slow tempo football and then they’ll break on you, and that’s what they’ve done.
“We said to [the players], their high line, turn them, get on balls in behind and make them defend, composed in the box, and you’ll get joy.
“We did that for the last 15 minutes and got joy [but] we didn’t do it for 75 and that’s why we were 1-0 behind, as well as the poor decision.”
READ MORE: Matt Bloomfield disappointed as Oxford United held to draw
READ MORE: Oxford United 1-1 Charlton Athletic: Late heartbreak for U’s
The point takes Charlton to 48 points in the Championship and nine above the relegation where the U’s currently lie.
After looking like they might be in the thick of the fight for survival, the Addicks look set to secure second-tier status this season after achieving promotion via the play-offs in the previous campaign.
Meanwhile, Matt Bloomfield’s men sit 22nd in the division, one point from safety with West Bromwich Albion and Portsmouth both a single points above them.
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.
“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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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