Oxford United stretched their unbeaten run to fifteen games in all competitions after securing a comfortable first win at Roots Hall since 2003.
A brace from Matty Taylor, a ninth of the season for James Henry and a first Oxford goal for Dan Agyei sealed an impressive display against Sol Campbell’s struggling Southend.
Here's how #oufc line up at Southend today. pic.twitter.com/X89nATtgfb
— Oxford Mail OUFC (@OxfordMailOUFC) November 23, 2019
Simon Eastwood began in goal, with a back four of Josh Ruffels, John Mousinho, Rob Dickie and Chris Cadden.
Alex Rodriguez Gorrin sat in front of the defence, behind Anthony Forde and Henry. Tariqe Fosu and Mark Sykes were the wingers, with Taylor leading the line.
Shandon Baptiste was due to start but suffered a groin injury in the warm-up, and was replaced by Forde.
Within the opening minute, Oxford found the early breakthrough after Taylor capitalised on poor defending to score after just 53 seconds.
Soon after United could have made it two after cutting through their opponents far too easily, but Taylor’s flick was moved on to the advancing Henry was collected by Nathan Bishop.
Gorrin then went high into a challenge on Stephen McLaughlin, and although he was fortunate not to receive a red card, the Spaniard was cautioned and will miss the U’s home fixture against Shrewsbury Town.
On the half-hour mark, Henry took advantage of yet more poor defending, this time from Timothee Dieng, before striking home his ninth goal of the season from 20-yards.
Moments later, it should have been three. Henry edged into the area before squaring to Taylor, but his close-range effort was blocked on the line.
The U’s came close to adding a deserved third shortly after the restart, but Fosu saw his low effort strike the post.
The visitors didn’t create many more opportunities in the second half, but that was until the final five minutes when they added another two goals.
Henry squared to Taylor to secure his second of the afternoon before substitute Agyei seized onto a loose ball before firing home a fourth, and his first for the club.
Oxford have moved back into the League One play-off places and return to FA Cup action next weekend with a visit to Walsall.
