Match Report: League One – Bristol Rovers 0-2 Oxford United

OXFORD, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 15: Oxford United manager Karl Robinson looks on prior to the Sky Bet League One match between Oxford United and Northampton Town at Kassam Stadium on December 15, 2020 in Oxford, England. (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images)


Oxford United recorded their first double over Bristol Rovers since 1992/93 with a 2-0 victory at the Memorial Ground.

A goal in each half from deadline day signings Elliot Lee and Brandon Barker sealed the win for the U’s.

Karl Robinson made just one change from the side that lost at Doncaster last time out with Mide Shodipo replacing Barker.

Jack Stevens began in goal behind a back four of Josh Ruffels, Rob Atkinson, Elliott Moore and Sam Long.

Alex Rodriguez Gorrin sat deep behind Cameron Brannagan and James Henry with Shodipo and Lee as the wide men. Former Rovers striker Matty Taylor, who scored a brace when the sides met last month, started up front.

In freezing conditions, both sides began the game sluggishly. It took until the 20-minute mark before the games’ first effort on goal but James Daly’s shot was straight at Stevens.

Daly had another opportunity eight minutes later but the forward fired wide. The miss proved costly as the U’s found the opener just moments later.

Oxford won the ball back in midfield and it was helped on by Brannagan and Taylor before Henry played a first time ball over the top for Lee to run on to, and the on-loan Luton man made no mistake with the one-on-one finish.

The Gas pushed for a leveller. Erhun Otzumer played a dangerous ball into the box but the attackers didn’t take advantage. Full-back George Williams then struck and effort from the edge of the box but Stevens tipped it over.

As half time approached, Sam Long was replaced by Anthony Forde with the former picking up an injury. Forde was under pressure from the off as Alex Rodman eased past but failed with an end product.

Then, just before the break, Henry attempted an effort from well within his own half but the long-range effort sailed just wide.

The second half began slowly, and the U’s were forced into another sub when Henry picked up a knock on the hour mark. Barker replaced him while Sam Winnall came on for Shodipo.

The U’s switched to a 4-4-2 and Barker was explosive down the left-hand side. Substitute Mark Sykes was blocked off by a challenge from Luke Leahy before Winnall’s header was pushed clear by Joe Day from the resulting corner.

Luke McCormick wasted a late chance for the hosts and it proved costly as the U’s added a second. Forde initially did well, bring the ball from the right-hand side on the halfway line through midfield before playing the ball out to Barker. The on-loan Rangers man had plenty to do but he beat two players before firing past Day for the second goal of the game.

The win moves Oxford to ninth in the table, three points off the playoffs. The U’s have now lost just once from their last 15 games in all competitions ahead of a home game against Wigan Athletic on Saturday.

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