Oxford United recorded back-to-back wins for the first time this season as the U’s scored twice in the first half to see off AFC Wimbledon.
Jordan Obita netted his first U’s goal before Matty Taylor scored his eighth goal of the season before the break. Jack Stevens was in inspired form and was integral as the U’s kept a fourth clean sheet from five games.
Here’s how #oufc line-up today: pic.twitter.com/AYMyzP17BD
— Oxford Mail OUFC (@OxfordMailOUFC) December 26, 2020
Karl Robinson made two changes from the side that eased past Northampton Town 11 days ago with Rob Atkinson returning from injury and Obita coming in on the left of midfield.
Jack Stevens started in goal behind a back four of Josh Ruffels, Atkinson, Elliott Moore and Sam Long.
Alex Rodriguez Gorrin sat deep behind Marcus McGuane and Liam Kelly. Obita started on the left with James Henry on the right and Taylor up top.
The U’s looked comfortable from the off and McGuane looked asserted in the middle of the park, but it was Taylor that had the early chances.
The U’s top scorer was kept out by Connal Trueman before striking the bar, however, for both efforts, he had strayed offside.
But it didn’t take long to get past the Dons’ defence. On 13 minutes, Obita remained calm when played in by Ruffels and slotted past Trueman for his first U’s goal.
Shortly after, Dons defender Ben Heneghan – who had been linked with a move to Oxford – was replaced through injury, and the unsettled backline conceded a second moments later. McGuane won a free-kick which Kelly chipped into the box, allowing Taylor to fire home with his weaker foot.
It gave the visitors a wake-up call but without top scorer Joe Pigott, rarely threatened Stevens before the break. Ethan Chislett saw his strike parried by Stevens before tipping Callum Reilly’s effort over.
Wimbledon had more possession before the break but were unable to get past a solid defensive Oxford unit. But just before the break, McGuane should have made it three but struck way over the bar.
Oxford started brightly after the restart but a Ruffels cross didn’t find a teammate in the box. With Wimbledon breaking at the other end, Gorrin picked up a fifth booking of the season after breaking up the attack, meaning he will be suspended for the U’s visit to Plymouth.
Jack Rudoni struck the post with Stevens beaten, but the Oxford goalkeeper expertly denied Ryan Longman from close range.
The Dons went on to dominate large spells of the second half. Henry cleared an effort off the line before Stevens denied Longman for a second time.
The U’s held on to extend their unbeaten run to five league games, and move above the Dons and into 15th ahead of the trip to Plymouth on Tuesday.
