Oxford United were involved in their third successive draw as the U’s played out a goalless draw against Blackpool.
Karl Robinson’s side were up against it for much of the game but will be happy to return to Oxford with another point on the board, keeping their first clean sheet on the road this season.
Here's your #oufc starting XI this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/XspHK8qGdx
— Oxford Mail OUFC (@OxfordMailOUFC) December 12, 2020
Karl Robinson kept the same starting line up that drew against Hull last weekend. Jack Stevens began in goal behind a back four of Josh Ruffels, Rob Atkinson, Elliott Moore and Sam Long.
Alex Rodriguez Gorrin sat behind Marcus McGuane and Liam Kelly in midfield with Jordan Obita and James Henry as the wide men. Matty Taylor led the line.
Blackpool headed into the game with five wins from their last six and the visitors put the U’s under early pressure. A few early set-pieces kept the Oxford defence on their toes but they dealt with what was thrown at them in the opening exchanges.
Sullay Kaikai was causing problems down the U’s right-hand side. On 12 minutes, the winger beat Long before finding CJ Hamilton, but the striker scuffed his effort wide.
Six minutes later and Oxford had their first chance. Ruffels intercepted the ball before finding Taylor. The striker played it wide to Henry and the winger found McGuane in the box, but his effort sailed over the bar.
On the half-hour mark, a Blackpool corner was eventually dealt with by Stevens after a scramble in the box. Moments later, Kaikai slipped as he went to strike the ball towards the Oxford goal.
Four minutes before the break, Hamilton struck the post with an effort from the edge of the box in what was the closest either side came to an opener in the first half.
After the restart, Atkinson went down with a head injury. The defender played on but was replaced by John Mousinho just three minutes later.
Jordan Gabriel moved into the box but saw his effort sail wide as the hosts began to dominate the proceedings.
The referee waved away a penalty claim after Blackpool felt Long handled the ball in the box before Robinson introduced Dan Agyei and Jamie Hanson for Obita and Kelly.
Moments later, Hamilton struck the woodwork for a second time when his long-range effort took a deflection onto the bar. It led to a series of corners which the hosts failed to convert from.
Ten minutes before full time, Blackpool made a triple change and Oxford introduced Rob Hall and Mide Shodipo with McGuane and Henry making way. And the two substitutes combined for the U’s best chance of the half. Hall found Shodipo but his effort was straight at Chris Maxwell.
With six minutes added on, the U’s came close to a late winner. Hall’s cross was met by Mousinho but his header was tipped onto the post by Maxwell.
Oxford move up to 19th but are only out of the bottom four on goal difference. The U’s welcome Northampton on Tuesday before a trip to Bristol Rovers next weekend.
