Oxford united FC
Oxford United beat Stockport 1-0 in statement victory
The U’s extended their unbeaten run and League One to eight games and rose to third in the table whilst inflicting a first defeat in seven onto the Hatters.
Aaron Ramsey’s Yellows exploited Jimmy McNulty’s side’s high line to go ahead in the first half before creating more chances in the second.
A tired late push from Stockport saw Oxford defend their box impressively to see out a statement win.
It was almost an early celebration for Harris who found the net just seconds into proceedings, sweeping home Luka Lynch’s ball across but seeing the flag go up against him.
Stockport hit back, Ryan Glover putting a shot wide before league top scorer Kyle Wootton headed just over the crossbar.
A half volley from Benony Andresson bounced over the bar before Harris flagged offside for a third time as he tried to exploit the Hatters’ high line.
The County no.9 forced the first save from Jamie Cumming who got down to push his second shot wide.
After plenty of tries, the Yellows finally exploited the visitors’ high line, Siriki Dembele being played in down the left and squaring it to Harris who picked his spot.
Midfielder Louie Sibley looked for a second with a powerful, deflected shot saved before Harris turned an attempt at the keeper which was almost identical to the one he scored.
Tyler Goodrham hit early in the second half, putting a shot just wide but Ryan Glover hit back with Cumming saving at his near post.
Consecutive blocks from Cameron Brannagan and Goodrham kept Stockport at bay before the U’s captain blasted an effort at an away shirt.
Cumming stopped another Glover effort shortly after, Dembele forcing a save at the other end moments later after a quick counter attack.
A curled effort high and wide from Sibley preceded the United keeper being called into action again, this time diving to deny Harry Wood.
The Hatters started to look for a later equaliser, Mikael Mandron firing into the side netting, but the U’s did not let up, Brannagan lashing a free kick at goal which Oliver Whatmuff batted away.
Gatlin O’Donkor then put an Aidomo Emakhu ball over the bar, Oxford defending their box well at the other end to see out big victory.
Yellows: Cumming, Kioso, Helik, Brown, Currie (Spencer 74), Brannagan, Sibley (Andrews 66), Lynch (O’Donkor 66), Goodrham (Emakhu 66), Dembele (Missanga 83), Harris
Hatters: Whatmuff, Bate (Mandron 71), Pye, O’Connell, Andresson (Diamond 67), Norwood (Fiorini 46), Glover, Wood (Adigun 66), Wootton, Osborn (Ennis 46), Jobe
Bookings: Currie; Pye
Thames Valley Police has confirmed that Aiden Murray, 23, of Little Bury, Oxford, has been charged with one count of breaching a Football Banning Order. He has been bailed to appear at Oxford Magistrates’ Court on 14 January 2027.
The police force has also confirmed that a 19-year-old man from Wokingham was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage after damage was caused to a bus. He has since been released on conditional bail.
A 16-year-old boy from Reading was also arrested on suspicion of a Section 5 Public Order Act offence and failing to provide details under Section 50 of the Police Reform Act. He has been released on bail pending further enquiries.
Thames Valley Police has also confirmed that there were 19 Section 35 dispersals issued in Reading and Oxford, four of which were issued by British Transport Police.
Whilst Section 60AA powers were used to require individuals to remove face coverings. All individuals complied with officers’ requests and, as such, no breaches were recorded.
A Section 35 order gives police officers and police community support officers (PCSOs) the power to direct individuals causing, or likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress to leave a specified area.
A Section 60AA order gives uniformed officers the power to require any person to remove items worn wholly or mainly to conceal their identity, such as face coverings, and to seize any item they reasonably believe is intended for that purpose.
The U’s away match at Wigan Athletic has been delayed by 24 hours and will now be played on January 20, with an 8pm kick-off. It will be shown on Sky Sports Main Event.
The return Thames Valley Derby against Reading, scheduled for February 6, will start at 12.30pm.
United’s home fixture against Luton Town on February 27 will also be shown on television and will kick off at 12.30pm.
The U’s are third in the League One table and have gone 10 games unbeaten. They beat Thames Valley rivals Reading 2-0 on Wednesday night.
Broadcast selections for March 5-8, 2027, will be announced by February 5, with weekly announcements then covering four weeks ahead.
Cumming was left out of the squad due to suspension as Oxford beat Thames Valley rivals Reading 2-0 in League One, whilst Helik was forced off in the second half with an injury.
The win saw Reading-born duo Gatlin O’Donkor and Mo Missanga score at the Kassam Stadium to extend the Yellows’ league unbeaten run to 10 games.
U’s goalkeeper Cumming was not available in midweek after being sent off in the final minutes against Barnsley last weekend.
The club had appealed against the red card, with Ramsey providing an update after the match: “They said the decision was the same as the ref’s decision, and they didn’t want to change it.
“So, look, it is what it is. We have to deal with it.
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“And then, look, it gives opportunity again for Simon Eastwood to come in and have another solid performance with a clean sheet.
“So, we have players who are ready.”
Cumming will see out a three-game suspension, with it understood that he will miss the weekend’s FA Cup clash with Stevenage but will be available in the Jersey Mike’s Trophy against Cheltenham Town.
The United boss also opened up on the injury to Helik, saying: “He had a knock on his knee from the last match [against Barnsley].
“He’s done well to get through the minutes that he did tonight.
“He felt it a little bit, but no risk taken there.
“So, an opportunity now for him to recover a little bit before the league starts up again.
“We’ll assess him. We’ll see how he responds over the next few days.”
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