Oxford united FC
Oxford United beat Blackburn Rovers to extend winning run
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.
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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
Oxford United host Blackburn Rovers in a crucial match in the Championship relegation fight at the Kassam.
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The Tottenham Hotspur loanee is the U’s top scorer so far this season with nine goals in all competitions.
His performances and attitude in a struggling Yellows team have quickly seen the 20-year-old become a fan favourite in OX4 since his summer loan move.
Lankshear demonstrated his loyalty in the January transfer window, with journalist Pete O’Rourke reporting that the England Under-21 international had received offers from Championship promotion-chasing sides Middlesbrough and Ipswich Town.
READ MORE: Oxford United boss wary of Blackburn Northern Ireland link
Despite receiving propositions from higher up the league, the United top scorer chose to see out the season with Matt Bloomfield’s team, showing his commitment to the cause as the U’s continue to fight against relegation from the second tier for the second season running.
READ MORE: Oxford United boss and captain pay tribute to Amelia Aplin
Oxford have won their last three games, with Lankshear bagging a goal in each of those fixtures against West Bromwich Albion and Preston North End.
A 1-0 win over Blackburn Rovers at the Kassam Stadium on Wednesday evening leaves them in 22nd, level on points with Leicester City in 21st and just one point behind their Lancashire opponents in midweek.
The game was a poignant occasion with fitting tributes for academy goalkeeper Amelia Aplin who died at the age of 15 last weekend.
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.”
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