Oxford United began the month without an away victory all season as they prepared for a trip to Sheffield Wednesday. Despite the daunting task of playing in front of over 20,000 fans at Hillsborough, the U’s raced into an early lead through Cameron Brannagan and held on until the break.
Although Wednesday levelled the match with 15 minutes remaining, James Henry showed all of his class to strike the winner deep into stoppage time to earn the U’s a first win on the road this season. However, with the final kick of the game, Jack Stevens expertly denied a long-range effort from Barry Bannan to keep the points intact.
Unbeaten at home and having picked up a first away win of the season, the U’s would then suffer two uncharacteristic defeats at Grenoble Road.
Firstly, after their league game at Sunderland was postponed due to international call-ups, Oxford lost 2-1 against Stevenage in the Football League Trophy despite naming a strong line-up.
Karl Robinson’s side then welcomed league leaders Plymouth. Again, the U’s took an early lead but failed to hold on to their advantage as the Pilgrims took a 2-1 lead into the break. The visitors would add another late on as Oxford suffered a first home league loss of the campaign.
Despite the defeat, the U’s bounced back against strugglers Shrewsbury Town, even with Robinson not in attendance after contracting COVID-19. Although it was a cagey and tense first half, Mark Sykes put the hosts ahead immediately after the restart before Brannagan added a second near the end. It was also a first clean sheet in eight games in all competitions and just a third all season.
Oxford then travelled to Burton and produced arguably their best performance of the season. Taylor was on hand to net another early goal before a deflected effort from Nathan Holland doubled the tally before the break. Although the Brewers pulled one back, Henry restored their two-goal advantage from the penalty spot.
The U’s then secured their first victory of the year’s Football League Trophy, winning 3-2 against Tottenham’s U21 side, although it means they are knocked out of the competition for the first time since the introduction of the Academy sides. Despite the controversies of the new format, it allowed some fringe players to get game time, with Joel Cooper netting his first and second Oxford goals before Alex Rodriguez Gorrin scored his first U’s strike from open play in his 99th Oxford appearance.
The U’s rounded off the month with a 3-1 victory against Morecambe at Grenoble Road. Once again, the hosts took the lead but for the first time this season, it came from a set-piece as Steve Seddon headed home a Taylor back flick. Henry, making his 200th club appearance, was presented with an opportunity from the penalty spot but saw his effort sail over before the Shrimps levelled the game. However, late goals from Sykes and Taylor ensured the U’s ended the month with a fourth straight win.
