The U's Matchzone

Match Report: League One – AFC Wimbledon 1-2 Oxford United

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Oxford United have made it three successive league wins and will end 2019 in 2nd place in League One following a 2-1 win at AFC Wimbledon.

The U’s took a first half lead when Shane McLoughlin turned past his own goalkeeper from a Sam Long cross, but the Dons levelled just after the restart when Joe Pigott volleyed home.

But Mark Sykes, one of the five changes for Karl Robinson, latched on to a sublime pass from Shandon Baptiste to squeeze the winner home midway through the second half.

Robinson made five changes from the side that beat Lincoln City on Boxing Day.

Jordan Archer remained in goal, with a defence of Josh Ruffels on the left and Long, who replaced Chris Cadden, on the right. Elliott Moore partnered Rob Dickie in the centre with John Mousinho dropping out.

Alex Rodriguez Gorrin partnered Cameron Brannagan in midfield, with Shandon Baptiste moving to left of midfield and Sykes coming in on the right, with James Henry and Tariqe Fosu both dropping to the bench. The final changes saw Rob Hall come into the side behind Jamie Mackie, who replaced Matty Taylor up front.

The U’s started the game brighter but the hosts had the ball in the net after 16 minutes. However, Pigott’s effort was ruled out for offside.

Oxford’s usual threat this season has come down the right in the shape of Cadden and Henry, and although both players sat this one out, Long and Sykes continued to apply pressure.

The pair were involved in the opening goal as Sykes played it out to Long whose teasing cross was turned into his own net by a dismayed McLoughlin.

The U’s, who had won their previous two games by a 1-0 scoreline, we’re determined to find a second goal. Sykes found Mackie in the box but the 34-year-old fired just wide before the striker pressured Dons goalkeeper Nathan Trott who was forced to concede a corner.

The hosts hit back. Terell Thomas forced Archer into a save before Luke O’Neill saw his header from the resulting corner sail straight into the goalkeepers’ hands.

The U’s deserved their half time lead but withing two minutes of the restart, Wimbledon were level. O’Neill was allowed too much time to find the cross and Pigott volleyed home the equaliser.

Both sides were pushing for the next goal and when Sykes wasted a corner by passing it straight to an opponent, you could wonder where it would come from. But seconds later, Baptiste unleashed Sykes with a terrific through ball and Sykes kept his composure to score his first league goal for the U’s.

Sykes, who’s only previous Oxford goal came in the Carabao Cup win over Millwall, had his eye for more, and was denied brilliantly by Trott with a long-range effort.

Archer was then on hand to deny Pigott before blocked Jack Rudoni’s rebound but the U’s held on for another impressive three points.

With Ipswich Town losing against Lincoln City and Wycombe Wanderers suffering a third successive league defeat against Coventry City, Robinson’s side move up to 2nd, four points behind the Chairboys with a game in hand.

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