Oxford United kept their first clean sheet of the season after the U’s played out a goalless draw against Ipswich.
In a game of few real chances, both sides would have been happy with a draw and a clean sheet, putting some disappointing results behind them in the process.
Here's how #oufc start against Ipswich. pic.twitter.com/eSFEuR1c05
— Oxford Mail OUFC (@OxfordMailOUFC) December 1, 2020
Karl Robinson made two changes from Saturday’s derby defeat against Swindon with Jack Stevens replacing Simon Eastwood in goal for his first league start of the season, while Mide Shodipo came in for Jordan Obita on the left of midfield.
The back four remained the same, with Josh Ruffels, Rob Atkinson, Elliott Moore – who was given the captains armband – and Sam Long.
Alex Rodriguez Gorrin sat behind Marcus McGuane and Liam Kelly with Shodipo and James Henry as the wide men. Matty Taylor led the line.
The U’s started brightly and Shodipo won a series of fouls in the early exchanges, but despite the possession, the U’s failed to create any meaningful efforts.
The best came from Ruffels when his effort from the edge of the box David Cornell, before Moore headed a Kelly corner wide from close range.
Cornell was on hand on the half-hour mark, tipping away an effort from McGuane but he was unable to do anything about Henry’s effort six minutes before the break. A cross from Kelly found the midfielder but his header struck the post with the keeper stranded.
The second half started slowly, but Ipswich made changes with 30 minutes remaining with Kayden Jackson and Oli Hawkins coming on.
Despite the change of personnel and formation is was the U’s with the next chance, but Henry was denied by Cornell.
The game was fizzling out, but there was a late chance for the visitors when Andre Dozzell hit the bar.
Obita, John Mousinho and Dan Agyei all came on late on, and the offensive duo combined but the former’s effort was deflected wide.
The game ended goalless, as it did in this fixture last season, but for the U’s it was a first clean sheet in the league this season and a first since February.
Robinson’s side welcome league leaders Hull City to Grenoble Road on Saturday.
