Oxford United’s hopes of reaching the League One play-off final for a second successive season were dealt a major blow with a 3-0 defeat to Blackpool in the first leg.
Two quickfire goals from the Seasiders had put the game beyond doubt by halftime, with the divisions’ best defence adding a third after the restart.
Here’s how #oufc start the semi-final first leg. pic.twitter.com/w3JWkdvrHg
— Oxford Mail OUFC (@OxfordMailOUFC) May 18, 2021
Karl Robinson made two changes from their final day win over Burton. Sam Long missed out through injury and was replaced by Jamie Hanson, while Brandon Barker replaced Mide Shodipo on the left of midfield.
Jack Stevens began in goal behind a back four of Josh Ruffels, Rob Atkinson, Elliott Moore and Hanson.
Cameron Brannagan sat behind Mark Sykes and James Henry with Barker and Elliot Lee as the wide men. Matty Taylor started up top.
In front of just under 4,000 supporters, the U’s made a promising start. Sykes found space between the Blackpool defence but was brought down by James Husband. Despite calls for a red card, referee Bobby Madley issued a yellow for the Seasiders man.
While Lee’s free-kick was wasted, the U’s continued their early dominance. Barker looked lively and managed a run from the edge of his box to the edge of the Blackpool box. He played the ball to the right but Henry’s shot was blocked by Taylor.
Despite Oxford’s early control, Blackpool would have been pleased with how they dealt with it, and soon had the games best opportunity. Ellis Simms’ cross deflected into the path of Keshi Anderson but Stevens came out and made himself big to block, before Moore cleared Elliot Embleton’s rebound.
Despite the defensive heroics, the U’s would soon concede twice within just three minutes. First, Sykes gave away an unnecessary free kick in the Oxford half. Embleton saw his deep delivery inadvertently turned back into his own box by Ruffels and Ollie Turton tapped into an open net.
Shortly after, Simms beat Atkinson to a long ball. He twisted his way into the box, cut inside onto his left foot and his effort deflected past Stevens to double the visitors’ lead.
Blackpool kept the U’s at bay and managed the game out until the halftime interval.
After the restart, Oxford were soon presented with their best opportunity of the game. Henry played a pinpoint pass through to Sykes but he was unable to beat Chris Maxwell when one-on-one.
Despite their advantage, Blackpool looked for a third but Jerry Yates fired over the bar. At the other end, Henry also fired over following another run from Barker.
Oxford made a double change but it was Blackpool that handed the hosts a double blow. With the U’s chasing a goal, the Seasiders hit on the break through Yates and Simms and the latter poked the ball past Stevens to put the result beyond doubt.
Although Oxford still looked for a goal to bring themselves back into the tie, a hamstring injury to substitute Sam Winnall just 19 minutes after coming on summed up the evening. It got worse as Brannagan was also forced off in stoppage time with the same injury.
Oxford were unable to reply, meaning they will need to produce something extremely special at Bloomfield Road on Friday if they are to achieve a spot at Wembley.
