Oxford United have suffered back to back league defeats as the U’s lost against the new league leaders, Rotherham United.
Three first-half goals for the Millers finished the tie and ended the U’s hopes of completing a league double against their opponents for the first time since 1983/84.
Your #oufc XI this afternoon pic.twitter.com/Gzx0YQp9Az
— Oxford Mail OUFC (@OxfordMailOUFC) January 11, 2020
Karl Robinson made two changes from the side that won against Hartlepool in the FA Cup, with Simon Eastwood returning from injury in time following Jordan Archer’s departure, and Cameron Brannagan returned with Rob Hall dropping to the bench.
Eastwood started behind a back four of Josh Ruffels, Elliott Moore, Rob Dickie and Sam Long.
Alex Rodriguez Gorrin sat in midfield behind Brannagan and Shandon Baptiste. Tariqe Fosu and Mark Sykes were the wingers while Jamie Mackie led the line.
Three of the U’s new signings in Nathan Holland, Liam Kelly and Marcus Browne all began the afternoon on the bench.
The game started slowly and was a scrappy affair in the windy conditions. The game was stopped numerous times for free kicks withholding the match to flow.
Nine minutes in, Gorrin picked up a yellow card for a challenge on former Oxford forward Kyle Vassell. From the resulting free-kick, the U’s managed to defend from the Millers aerial threat.
The intensity began to increase but unfortunately for Oxford, the visitors found the opener. Cheidozie Ogbene beat Brannagan and crossed for Vassell to tap in from close range – the U’s first home league goal conceded since August.
Long and Sykes then linked up well down the right, but Mackie was unable to beat his marker from the formers cross.
From the U’s first corner, Moore knocked back Baptiste’s delivery but Ruffels’ effort lacked power.
At the other end, Ogbene saw a cross nearly catch Eastwood out but the returning goalkeeper tipped the effort over the bar.
On the counter, Rotherham looked dangerous but Hakeeb Adelakun fired over. But just one minute later, Vassell added his second of the afternoon. The forward held off Dickie and lobbed Eastwood from the edge of the box.
Oxford looked rattled but soon created another opportunity from Sykes but Ruffels volleyed over.
Michael Ikiekwe, who scored the Millers goal when Oxford won the reverse fixture, saw his header from a corner sail straight into Eastwood’s arms as Rotherham looked to add a third.
Before the break, Baptiste struck an effort from range but it hit a yellow player and sailed wide before the visitors added a third in injury time. Moore failed to clear a corner and Richard Wood headed home.
Robinson, who was watching the game from the stands while serving a one-game touchline ban, made two changes at the break with Holland and Browne replacing Gorrin and Brannagan.
As a result, the U’s began the second half with more intent. Holland saw a cross blocked behind for a corner before Baptiste tried to jink through the defence. Browne then raced down the left and won another corner.
With half an hour remaining, Robinson made his final change which saw Matty Taylor replace Mackie up top.
At the end other end, Vassell went in search for his hattrick but Eastwood stopped the striker’s effort.
Holland was looking bright down the right and he played a terrific ball into the box, but it was just out of reach of Taylor.
Just a minute later, Taylor had the ball in the back of the net but the flag was raised for offside.
For the first time, Oxford looked the better side and they soon had something to show for it. Sykes did well in the wide area and although Taylor was unable to convert, Browne was on hand to volley home on his second debut for the club.
Taylor then latched on to a poor back pass but the on-loan Bristol City man fired wide when he should have rippled the net.
Holland, who by now had switched to the left, cut inside and saw a decent effort saved before he saw a cross-come-shot sail over just no moments later.
With time running out, Browne fizzed a free-kick just wide, before Taylor headed a Long cross straight at the keeper.
At the other end, Eastwood kept the Millers out before Ruffels fired over again, this time from 20-yards.
The U’s were much better in the second half but a dismal first-half display contributed to a Rotherham victory. As a result, Oxford drop down to 5th before welcoming Ipswich Town on Tuesday night.
