The U's Matchzone

Match Report: League One – Lincoln City 0-6 Oxford United

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Oxford United secured their first away win of the season and recorded their highest ever away league victory as the U’s dominated proceedings at Lincoln City.

A hat trick from Tariqe Fosu, one from Jamie Mackie, another for James Henry and a first goal since returning to the club for Matty Taylor sealed the win in what was former Oxford boss Michael Appleton’s first match since his appointment as the new Imps boss.

For Oxford, they’re now three games unbeaten and have kept three successive clean sheets as they welcome West Ham United to the Kassam in the third round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.

Karl Robinson made just the one change from the side that drew at Bolton on Tuesday, with Mackie replacing Matty Taylor up front.

Simon Eastwood began in goal, behind a back four of Josh Ruffels, John Mousinho, Rob Dickie and Chris Cadden.

Alex Rodriguez Gorrin sat in slightly deeper behind Cameron Brannagan, who made his 100th career appearance with 77 of those coming for Oxford, and Ben WoodburnFosu and Henry were on the wings with Mackie leading the line.

The U’s made a blistering start to the game and took the lead inside five minutes. Fosu and Mackie linked up well before the former Charlton winger fired past Josh Vickers from 20 yards.

Lincoln pushed for an immediate equaliser, but Bruno Andrade saw his effort sail wide.

Gorrin was keeping danger man and former U’s loanee Jack Payne quiet, and the Imps were struggling to find space in the organised U’s midfield. Brannagan and Woodburn were both denied by Vickers as Oxford began to assert their authority in the game.

Out of possession, Robinson’s side remained comfortable, and it was an explosive counter-attack which led to their second goal. Mackie dropped deep, allowing Fosu to sprint forward before being found with an excellent pass from Woodburn. The winger rounded Vickers before doubling the visitors lead on the stroke of half time.

Harry Anderson tested Eastwood just before the break, but the U’s backline had rarely been tested in the opening 45.

John Akinde and, former Oxford transfer target, Jorge Grant came on for the second half but, just nine minutes in, Mackie added a third. Brannagan played the pass forward, and the veteran striker turned Cian Bolger before curling home his second goal of the season.

Moments later, Woodburn saw an effort blocked, but Henry smashed home a volley for his fourth goal of the season.

Henry and Mackie were replaced by Anthony Forde and Matty Taylor, and it took just two minutes for Fosu to complete his hat trick. The 23-year-old picked the ball up on the halfway line, and just cut through the Imps defence before finding the top corner from 30 yards.

With fifteen minutes remaining, Fosu was replaced by George Thorne, but just minutes later, the U’s added a sixth goal. Forde whipped in a cross from the right which was met by the head of Taylor to score his first goal since returning to his boyhood club.

It was a sensational, record-breaking away for the yellow army, who have picked up seven points from their last three league games, keeping three successive clean sheets in the process.

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