Oxford United eased past bottom club Burton Albion to kick off 2021 with all three points.
Matty Taylor netted his ninth of the season before a brace each from Mide Shodipo and Josh Ruffels. Sam Long laid on three assists as the U’s dominated the game at the Pirelli Stadium.
Here's how #oufc start at Burton. pic.twitter.com/nBUCA26UCE
— Oxford Mail OUFC (@OxfordMailOUFC) January 2, 2021
Karl Robinson made three changes from the side that won at Plymouth on Tuesday night. Alex Rodriguez Gorrin returned from suspension but Liam Kelly missed the game after picking up his fifth yellow card against the Pilgrims, so Anthony Forde came in. Taylor returned from a knock in place of Dan Agyei.
Jack Stevens started in goal behind Ruffels, Rob Atkinson, Elliott Moore and Long. Gorrin sat deep behind Marcus McGuane and Forde, while Shodipo and James Henry were the wide men.
Oxford were looking to put pressure on the leagues’ worst defence right from the off. Without creating any early chances, the U’s looked comfortable on the ball and didn’t have to wait long until they found the opener.
Ruffels played a long ball forward and Taylor timed his run to get away from two defenders before lobbing the ball over the onrushing Kieran O’Hara to take his goal tally to nine for the season.
At the other end, Michael Bostwick struck a shot towards goal but Stevens was equal to the deflected effort.
Oxford went in search of a second. Shodipo chased a long ball from Henry but his cross was just too high for Taylor. Henry then had a go himself, but his long-range effort sailed way wide.
The U’s soon found a second goal. Henry’s cross was cleared, but only as far as McGuane. The midfielder laid it back to Long who played it inside for Shodipo to curl home into the top corner.
Shodipo was on hand to add a third just after 30 minutes. Long got forward well down the right and his cross from the byline was met by the on-loan QPR man for his sixth goal of the season.
It should have been four just two minutes later but Henry stuck wide from 30-yards with O’Hara way out of his goal.
McGuane, still looking for his first Oxford goal, came close before the break but his low shot was well saved by O’Hara.
Then, just one minute later, Burton pulled one back through former U’s striker Kane Hemmings. Stephen Quinn saw his strike deflect into the path of Hemmings for an easy tap home.
Burton started the second half positively, and Ryan Edwards saw a half volley sail just over in the opening exchanges.
Despite a better display from the Brewers after the restart, it was Oxford that found the next goal. Henry cut inside from the right and played a square ball to Ruffels who fired low past O’Hara.
Oxford then missed another golden opportunity when Shodipo missed the chance to complete his hat-trick as he sliced over from just six yards out.
But, a fifth was added shortly after and Ruffels netted his second of the afternoon. A well-worked move ended with Long playing the ball across for Ruffels to tap home from close range.
With 15 minutes remaining, Oxford fans were presented with some positive news as Cameron Brannagan returned to the field for the first time since October.
Charles Vernam struck the bar late on but the hosts were well beaten. Oxford move up to 12 and find themselves just four points off the playoffs.
The U’s are without a league game until January 16 after the match against Doncaster Rovers was postponed.
