Five Key Moments From the 2019/20 Season
This time last week, Oxford United’s pending defeat to Wycombe Wanderers in the League One play-off final was just hours away from kick-off. Despite the result, fans of the club can still look back on the season with immense pride.
The final itself was disappointing, of course. The U’s had the chance to reach the second tier of English football for the first time since 1999. Alongside defeat, the chances of losing key players will certainly increase, leaving manager Karl Robinson to rebuild a squad capable of competing again next season.
But, it was possibly one of the best seasons to be an Oxford fan without celebrating something at the end of it. Here are five key moments from the 2019/20 season.
This match had the makings of a disaster for Karl Robinson and his side. The U’s had just one league win from their opening nine league games of the season, the Imps had won five of the last six meetings between the two sides and, to top it off, they appointed former Oxford manager Michael Appleton as their new boss the day before the game.
But, with Appleton watching from the stands as he was due to take over after the weeknd, it was the perfect afternoon for Oxford. Tariqe Fosu netted a wonderful hat-trick, Jamie Mackie and James Henry both struck sweet strikes before Matty Taylor opened his account after rejoining his boyhood club on loan from Bristol City.
Not only was the result outstanding, but it was also the clubs highest ever away victory in the Football League.
West Ham United, Manchester City and the Carabao Cup
The Carabao Cup not only provided a strong cup run for the U’s, but it also produced memorable results. It started off with a 1-0 win over Peterborough United. However, it looked like the cup run would be over in the second round when Millwall led the game 2-0 with five minutes remaining.
Mark Sykes reduced the deficit late on before Henry converted from the spot after Ben Woodburn was fouled in the box. Henry, George Thorne, Woodburn and skipper John Mousinho all converted as the tie went to penalties, with Simon Eastwood making one save as the U’s progressed 4-2.
The game ended a three-game losing run in the league, and their next encounter in the cup would come just days after their record win at Lincoln. Premier League outfit West Ham United would visit the Kassam Stadium in the third round.
The game was goalless at half time against a Hammers side that were fifth in the league, but the U’s ran riot in the second half to advance in the competition. Elliott Moore, Taylor, Fosu and Shandon Baptiste were all on the score sheet.
The third round brought another League One encounter. Sunderland came to town but a Rob Hall strike sent the game to a penalty shootout after the game ended 1-1. Like against Millwall, the U’s progressed 4-2. Eastwood stopped one and Will Grigg fired over for Sunderland, with Henry, Anthony Forde, Fosu and Mousinho all netting for the U’s.
The quarter-final brought another Premier League side to the Kassam. Current holders Manchester City would be the visitors, as they were the season before where they ran out 3-0 winners. The U’s would lose this game but it was a brilliant performance from Robinson’s side. City took the lead but Taylor equalised just after the restart to send the sell-out crowd into bedlam. Despite losing 3-1, the U’s had 18 shots on goal – the most City had faced in any game managed by Pep Guardiola. The Citizens boss was full of praise of the U’s after the game and the players could hold their heads high after reaching the last eight for the first time since 1988.
Newcastle United and FA Cup Run
The U’s appeared in five matches during their Carabao Cup run, and they played a further five during the FA Cup.
Less glamorous than their League Cup exploits, Robinson’s side saw off Hayes and Yeading United, Walsall and Hartlepool United before setting a fourth-round tie at Newcastle United.
The U’s took substantial support to the northeast in what was a sell-out crowd at St. James’ Park. Although the game ended goalless, the U’s gave a count account of themselves and deserved the replay.
Back in Oxfordshire for the replay, two first-half goals from the Magpies put Steve Bruce’s side in a comfortable position. But, one thing we have seen from the U’s this season ha their desire to get back into games. With six minutes remaining, Liam Kelly scored a free-kick to reduce the deficit, before Nathan Holland volleyed home a 93rd-minute equaliser. It was no less than they deserved, having been on top for much of the second half. However, with penalties looming, Newcastle nicked it deep in the second half of extra time to knock the U’s out.
18-game Unbeaten Run
It may not have been too noticeable at the time, but the U’s went 18 games unbeaten in all competitions during the season. That fell just one short of equaling a club record, which was set under Jim Smith in the Conference.
The run began with a 3-0 win over Tranmere Rovers midway through September – a result which ended a run of five league games without a victory, including four defeats.
A goalless draw away at lowly Bolton Wanderers followed, before hitting ten goals without reply in two games against Lincoln and West Ham. A second 3-0 home win followed against Gillingham, before a draw at Accrington, a draw against Portsmouth in the Football League trophy and another 3-0 home win, this time against Doncaster Rovers.
Their good form was highlighted when Taylor scored a winner at promotion rivals Rotherham United before a fourth consecutive home 3-0 win, this time against Rochdale. The U’s ended the month with a Carabao Cup win over Sunderland.
November produced a draw at Portsmouth and four wins, which included FA Cup victories at Hayes and Yeading and Walsall respectively, either side of the U’s first win at Roots Hall since 2003.
Two goalless draws began December before the run was ended against Robinson’s former club, MK Dons. During the run, Oxford secured 12 wins, scoring 41 goals, conceding eight and keeping an impressive 12 clean sheets.
Fourth Placed Finish – Best This Century
Although the season ended prematurely as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, Oxford United’s fourth-place finish was the highest position the club had finished this century.
The clubs previous best came during the 1995/96 season, where the U’s gained promotion after finishing second.