Oxford united FC
Matt Bloomfield’s full thoughts after Oxford beat Blackburn
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.
Tributes have been paid at Oxford’s training ground over the past week and a minute’s silence was observed before kick-off against Blackburn Rovers.
Flowers, scarves and messages were left draped on the bronze ox statue outside the Kassam Stadium.
The game was then paused for a minute’s applause in the 15th minute as the U’s won 1-0 on the night.
Ahead of the game, head coach Matt Bloomfield said: “It is devastatingly sad news. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Amelia’s family.
“Her teammates were here yesterday and her parents, I met them very briefly. We are all heartbroken for Amelia’s family.
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“As a dad, my heart is broken for her parents. It’s been very sombre here as you can understand and we have to make sure that we give Amelia’s friends and family all the love that they need going through this such terrible time.”
The Oxford Mail’s sports reporter Malachi Obrey, covering the game at the Kassam on March 11, described the atmosphere as “very emotional”.
He said: “There was a minute’s silence ahead of the first whistle with Amelia’s teammates and parents in attendance for a sombre moment of reflection.
“Another stoppage as well at the 15-minute mark as the whole ground united in applause – a reminder that there are things bigger than football and great to see all corners of the ground united.”
Oxford City offered its “sincere condolences” to the family of Amelia Aplin and to “our friends” at Oxford United during this “incredibly sad” time.
A statement from Summertown Stars Football Club said: “On behalf of everyone at Summertown Stars — players, coaches, parents and volunteers — we want to pass on our deepest condolences to Amelia’s family, her friends, her teammates and her coaches. This is an unimaginably difficult time for all who knew and loved her.
“We are a grassroots football club, and moments like this remind us that the game we all pour so much into is about so much more than football.
“It’s about community, and right now our community’s thoughts are with Amelia’s family and everyone at Oxford United Women.”
A statement from Fulham FC Women added: “Everyone at Fulham Football Club is shocked and saddened to hear this news. Our thoughts are with Ameila’s family and friends, and all associated with Oxford United FC.”
Jamie Donley’s first goal for the Yellows was all that was needed to see off Rovers to pick up a huge win in the battle for Championship survival.
The third win on the bounce means that United have won three games in a row for the first time since former head coach Gary Rowett’s first trio of matches in charge.
Matt Bloomfield’s men now sit in 22nd, only in the relegation zone on goal difference with Leicester City level on points above them.
An emotional start to the night saw the club remember academy goalkeeper Amelia Aplin who sadly passed away last weekend, with a minute’s silence and plenty of tributes taking place ahead of kick-off.
The U’s started brightly and almost found the lead after just six minutes, Will Lankshear only able to turn Stan Mills’ ball wide from close range.
Donley continued to impress in the Yellows attack, beating players and providing good deliveries whilst Mills forced a save from Balazs Toth after cutting onto his left foot and striking low at goal.
United continued to put balls into the box with Donley finding the side-netting at the back post from a Currie cross after Toth missed it.
Shortly after, however, the midfielder found the breakthrough. Mills’ cross towards Myles Peart-Harris was headed goalward and parried out by the keeper, but Donley was there to sweep home for his first goal in yellow.
An early penalty shout was routinely dismissed by the referee as Peart-Harris went down under contact in the box early in the second half.
READ MORE: Emotional tributes for Oxford United’s Amelia Aplin
A great first period continued into the second as Ciaron Brown nodded a good corner ball over the bar before Peart-Harris squandered a good chance to double the lead after Rovers gifted him the ball, Toth getting down to save his tame placed effort.
The U’s continued with their pressure but struggled then to find openings as Blackburn picked up their efforts near the end.
READ MORE: Oxford United striker snubbed Middlesbrough and Ipswich Town
Jack Currie blocked a fierce shot from Ryan Alebiosu arriving in the box on the right, before a chaotice sequence of events in the U’s box saw Yuki Ohashi go down before Brodie Spencer then shielded the ball out and to safety.
A nervy last few moments saw Michal Helik fizz a shot wide as the Yellows camped in their half to fend of the visitors.
READ MORE: Oxford United boss and captain pay tribute to Amelia Aplin
Oxford: Cumming, Long, Helik, Brown, Currie, Konak (Vaulks 78), Brannagan, Mills (Harris 87), Donley (McDonnell 87), Peart-Harris (Spencer 78), Lankshear (Prelec 73)
Blackburn: Toth, Alebiosu, Carter, McLoughlin, Cashin, Forshaw (Tavares 80), Gardner-Hickman, Morishita, Baradji (Ohashi 59), De Neve (Afolayan 73), Jorgensen (Cantwell 73)
Bookings: McLoughlin, Carter
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.”
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