Oxford united FC
Oxford United beat Wigan Athletic 2-1 in League One victory
Aaron Ramsey’s side extended their League One unbeaten run to six games with a goal each from Michal Helik and Kai Andrews seeing the U’s past Wigan.
After the former’s first half opener, Christian Saydee equalised with a wonder strike in the second.
Fraser Murray saw red, however, moments later, paving the way for Kai Andrews to get his first Oxford goal and score the winner at the Kassam Stadium.
Mark Harris had the first chance early on, Joe Whitworth saving his shot from an angle and Siriki Dembele firing a second effort over the crossbar from range.
A blocked shot from Helik and a rocket just over the bar from a Cameron Brannagan free kick kept the U’s knocking on the door.
Brodie Spencer drives forward for the U’s (Image: Darrell Fisher)
Harris had another go with a clever turn and shot in the box which was blocked, before Brodie Spencer blasted a loose ball at a blue shirt after yet more United pressure.
The Tics saw a weak, speculative bicycle kick from Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen trickle wide before the Yellows’ opener.
Goodrham’s dinked ball to the back post was volleyed first time by Helik only to be saved by Whitworth.
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The parried ball fell right back into his path, however, the Polish centre back smartly tucking it instinctively into the bottom corner a minute before half time.
The U’s began the second half much the same way, Jack Currie putting a wicked shot over before a terrific darting run from Dembele saw him send a shot just wide of the post.
Tyler Goodrham readies to cross the ball (Image: Darrell Fisher)
Jamie Cumming survived a scare after giving the ball straight to Murray who fired over before returning winger Aidomo Emakhu bobbled a shot just wide after a quick break.
Out of nowhere, the Tics found an equaliser, Saydee swivelling and firing goalward from miles out, beating Cumming at his near post.
Joy turned to despair for the Tics, though, Murray deservedly seeing red for a late challenge on Currie near the halfway line.
That opened the door for United who put themselves back in front four minutes later, Dembele gifting the ball to Andrews in the box who tucked it into the bottom left corner.
Mo Missanga fires the ball for Oxford United (Image: Darrell Fisher)
Wigan tried to respond, Bradley Burrowes denied by Ciaron Brown and Helik blocking another shot impressively whilst Dembele had a shot saved in between.
With Oxford a man up, it was plain enough sailing in the late stages as they saw out the three points, two late shots from Emakhu going over as they looked to seal it.
Yellows: Cumming, Spencer, Helik, Brown, Currie, Brannagan, Andrews, Goodrham (Emakhu 64), Missanga (Lynch 64), M Harris, Dembele (Sibley 83)
Latics: Whitworth, Barrett (Saydee 52), Fox, Chilokoa-Mullen, Burns, Weir, Murray, A Harris, Gray (Walsh 52), Hogan (Mellish 67), Burrowes
Bookings: Brannagan, M Harris; Weir, Gray, Burns
Red cards: Murray
Oxford united FC
LIVE: Oxford United 1-0 Wigan Athletic – Helik puts U's ahead before half time
Oxford United welcome last-placed Wigan Athletic in League One as Aaron Ramsey’s men look to go six games unbeaten in the league.
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Oxford united FC
LIVE: Oxford United vs Wigan Athletic – Ramsey's men welcome bottom side Latics
Oxford United welcome last-placed Wigan Athletic in League One as Aaron Ramsey’s men look to go six games unbeaten in the league.
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Oxford united FC
Mark Harris targets more than 15 goals for Oxford United
Harris has scored four goals in the U’s first eight games with Aaron Ramsey’s team sitting eighth in the division.
The Wales international’s last goal came in Oxford’s 2-1 win at Notts County nine days ago, opening the scoring after a mistake from the goal keeper.
Having started all of the Yellows’ league matches so far this season, Harris is firmly Ramsey’s first-choice striker despite the impressive form of young centre forward Gatlin O’Donkor who has three goal from eight substitute appearances.
After two years in the Championship with United, the 27-year-old has opened up on his targets for the season ahead of the welcoming of Wigan Athletic on Tuesday night.
When asked what his goal target was this campaign, Harris replied: “To beat the promotion season.
“Four [goals] in eight [games]; not bad.
“One every other game, I would take. I should get my target by that.”
Oxford United striker Mark Harris (Image: Richard Parkes)
When Oxford won promotion to the Championship in 2023/24, the former Cardiff City and Wrexham man bagged 15 goals in the league – 19 in all competitions – which he is trying to beat this year.
The goals became harder to obtain during the two second-tier seasons, with the Swansea-born man scoring nine over the couple of campaigns.
When asked if League One lacked the same intensity as England’s second tier, Harris replied: “If less, only slightly, I would say.
“Different games bring different needs, let’s say, it’s still an intense league. You’ve got to fight for every ball, you’ve got to win every ball.
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Mark Harris drives forward (Image: Richard Parkes)
“It’s no walk in the park compared to the Championship, put it that way.”
Under his former Wales teammate Ramsey, Harris is enjoying his football and role as centre forward.
“Since he’s come in, it’s not just the defenders and the midfielders that defend, it’s every single one of us,” the striker continued.
“We lose the ball, we react and we get it back. If we don’t get it back, we all get back in.
“Even me, if I’m the highest person on the pitch, I’ve got to get back behind the ball. That’s what I try to do.
Mark Harris closes down Mansfield’s Liam Thompson (Image: Richard Parkes)
“But yeah, our main principles, however you want to put it, is if we lose that ball, we get it back. And if not, we’re all getting into shape, compact. Hard to break down.
“[Ramsey] doesn’t want to just be a nice team that can just pass because you need the defensive side and you need the reactions and your compactness.
“You need it all together to be a good side and he’s brought that in. Everyone’s bought into it.
“Everyone loves playing the way we’re playing at the minute. It’s been great so far.”
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