Sunday, April 3, 2016 – for the first time in the club’s history, Oxford United would lose at Wembley. The previous two occasions brought huge joy to the county with a Milk Cup victory in 1986 and promotion from the Conference League in 2010.
Oxford, of League Two, came up against a fiercely strong Barnsley side. The Tykes secured promotion back to the Championship after getting past Walsall and Millwall in the playoffs, and although the U’s secured promotion themselves, they came up against a much stronger side on the day.
Despite being the underdogs, the U’s took a 1-0 lead into the break thanks to Callum O’Dowda’s strike. But an own goal from Chey Dunkley seven minutes into the second half gave the Yorkshire side the impetus.
Goals from Ashley Fletcher and Adam Hammill within six minutes of each other put Barnsley in control, and although Danny Hylton reduced the deficit with 15 minutes remaining, the U’s were unable to find a way back into the game.
The loss was disappointing for Michael Appleton and his side, but securing promotion was the ultimate goal that season, and they managed to achieve that. Oxford also beat rivals Swindon Town en route to the final.
