Oxford united FC
Liverpool legend Graeme Souness wins charity cup in Oxford
The charity fixtures, held at the MGroup Stadium, was in aid of the charity ‘DEBRA’ which supports people living with epidermolysis bullosa (EB), also known as butterfly skin.
The matches featured football legends such as Souness, Matt Le Tissier and Dean Saunders, with others, like former Manchester United defender Wes Brown, in attendance.
The day was split into two semi-finals and a final with four teams involved: DEBRA Legends, Three Horseshoes Legends, Oxfordshire Legends and Oxford United Legends.
Team DEBRA was managed by former Liverpool midfielder, Souness, and former U’s 1995/96 promotion-winning manager Dennis Smith.
Three Horseshoes were led by Adie Foggett and Ben Reardon whilst former Yellows player and manager Mark Wright managed the Oxford United Legends along with former U’s player and Oxford City manager Mike Ford.
Oxfordshire Legends were managed by Andy Slater and Justin Merritt.
DEBRA and Three Horseshoes faced off in the first match as Souness’ side ran out 2-0 winners.
The United legends then triumphed over the Oxfordshire Legends, with former U’s men Matt Green and Matty Taylor scoring in a 2-1 win whilst Oxfordshire journeyman Eddie Odhiambo bagged for the losing team.
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A final match-up saw DEBRA take one the U’s legends.
Green bagged his second goal of the tournament, rounding the goalkeeper to put the Yellows one up.
Former West Ham United man and Oxford-born Matt Taylor equalised for DEBRA shortly after, before ex-U’s winger Chris Allen put the United legends back in front.
It looked like the Oxford United heroes had won the day with moments left, but Dean Windass had other ideas, tapping home at the back post to make it 2-2 and take the final to penalties.
After a mixed first five spot kicks for either team, the shootout entered sudden death.
Aston Villa youth goalkeeper made a big save before DEBRA scored to win the trophy.
In support of the day and of the DEBRA charity, three-time European Cup winner Souness said: “I’ve been involved with Debra for seven years, and it’s only now that we’ve started to make inroads and help these children.
“We’re now repurposing drugs, these are drugs for skin conditions that are already on the market, we’re repurposing them, and we’re getting results with it.
“Footballers get much criticised, in some cases deservedly so, but the vast majority do the bit, they go beyond the college, they do charity work that goes unseen.”
Referee Thomas Parsons dished out two red cards as Oxford drew 1-1 with Mansfield Town on Thursday night.
Parsons handed second yellow cards to Peter Kioso and Gatlin O’Donkor, Mansfield’s equaliser through Michael Smith coming after the former’s dismissal.
The Stags goal and the duo of red cards all came within nine minutes, the U’s holding firm to see out a point with nine men.
It came after United had taken the lead in the first half through a sweet strike from Aston Villa loanee Luka Lynch.
Speaking after the match, U’s head coach Ramsey aired his thoughts: “My immediate feeling is I’m super proud of the players, the way they finished that game.
“We went down to eight men for a minute (after a knock for Brodie Spencer) which seemed forever.
“But for us to dig in and to show that togetherness, staying connected as a team, defending the box, bodies on the line, I couldn’t have asked for any more.
“I was super, super proud of them tonight.”
Kioso’s sending off caused outrage among Oxford affiliates, the referee judging the right back to have dived as he went down under contact in Mansfield’s penalty area.
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Ramsey continued: “I disagree with the decision.
“For me, there’s certainly contact in the area there.
“And, I mean, for the ref then to go ahead and to book him as well, in my opinion, there’s no way PK has dived there.
“So, of course, a big moment in the game where I thought it should have been a penalty.”
For the second red card, O’Donkor received a soft first yellow before making a clumsy challenge to leave the referee with no choice but to show another.
“The first one, I believe it wasn’t a yellow card. And then the second one, it is what it is.”
The hosts’ eventual goal came from a Jamie Cumming mistake, the goalkeeper unable to deal with a cross which was then bundled into the net by Smith.
Despite the error, Ramsey had no ill feelings: “No frustration at all.
“Things happen on the football pitch, but it’s the way that we respond to these things.
“And, like I said, everybody was digging in for each other.
“A couple of players sent off, but I didn’t see that affecting us to accept the defeat, if you like.
“I saw a team that were fighting right until the end to come away with it with something.”
Two league away fixtures in a row have resulted in four points from six, with the U’s now five unbeaten in League One ahead of three consecutive home clashes, starting with Wigan Athletic on Tuesday night.
Aaron Ramsey’s Yellows took the lead in the first half thanks to a peach from Aston Villa loanee Luka Lynch, before a chaotic second half saw Oxford concede an equaliser and reduced to nine men.
Defender Peter Kioso and striker Gatlin O’Donkor both received second yellow cards, meaning United had to weather a late storm to hold onto a point at the One Call Stadium.
Here is how we rated the U’s on Thursday night…
Jamie Cumming – 4.5
Three total saves but a couple of sketchy moments with his feet.
Fumbled the ball for the equaliser, not strong enough coming for the cross.
Disappointing on his return to the team and needs to get some form and rhythm back.
Peter Kioso – 5
Kioso was a bit clumsy in some of his actions, picking up a booking and winning fewer than half of his duels.
Began the second period better, but was dismissed with 15 minutes left after the referee judged him to have dived, receiving a second yellow.
Michal Helik – 6
A couple of slip-ups with his feet but was in the right place to deal with crosses for most of the evening.
11 clearances to his name with backs against the wall late on.
Ciaron Brown – 7
Instinctive to find himself in the right areas at the right times as the Stags got forward.
Immense with 15 total clearances, won all six of his duels and put in a good sliding challenge after a dangerous Mansfield cross.
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Brodie Spencer – 5
Needed help as left one versus one – sometimes versus two – a lot in the first half and dribbled past twice.
Won four of his five tackles.
Cameron Brannagan – 5
A big error almost led to a goal which was out of character but passing was decent overall with one key pass to his name.
Kai Andrews – 5.5
Got forward a bit more in the second half before having to defend again after the red cards.
Louie Sibley (O’Donkor 59′) – 5
Taken off at the hour mark after a tough outing against a persistent Mansfield.
Luka Lynch (Missanga 59′) – 7.5
A beauty of a strike for his first professional goal and was easily United’s biggest threat.
Was dangerous both cutting inside and getting to the by-line, beating his man and winning three fouls.
That is three assists and one goal in his first five Yellows appearances. Not bad.
Mark Harris (Currie 77′)- 5
Isolated up top.
He is not a hold-up striker so struggled to get involved, with the midfield not there to help him out on many occasions.
His only effort all game was an early glancing header wide.
Siriki Dembele (Long 80′) – 6
A quiet one for his standards this season but grabbed an assist, performed some important carries and won three fouls.
Substitutes:
Mo Missanga (59′) – 6
Gatlin O’Donkor (59′) – 4
Unlucky with the first booking but a silly challenge for his second whilst already on a yellow.
Jack Currie (77′) – N/A
Sam Long (80′) – N/A
Oxford United travel to face Mansfield Town in League One as they look to extend their unbeaten streak to five games.
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