Oxford United have reached the League One playoff final after a 2-1 aggregate win over Peterborough.
The second leg ended 1-1 but their narrow victory at Grenoble Road helped the U’s over the line, where they will face Bolton.
Here are three talking points from the game.
Set Piece Goals
Oxford won the first leg with a set piece goal when Elliott Moore headed home from a corner, but the game at London Road was very similar.
Chances were few and far between for either sides and, despite their being eight goals over the two league meetings earlier in the season, it looked as though set pieces would be crucial yet again.
And that was the case. Oxford gave away plenty of unnecessary fouls in the first half and were punished from a free-kick five minutes before the break when Posh took the lead.
However, Oxford were awarded a spot kick in first-half stoppage time. Cameron Brannagan’s free-kick was handled by the Peterborough skipper and the Oxford man stepped up to calmly convert from 12 yards.
Both sides did create further chances, with Sam Long clearing one off the line and Jamie Cumming producing a wonderful save in stoppage time, but Oxford held on.
Defending as a Team
What can we say about Oxford’s back five? In the first leg, they were incredible and they continued that good form in this second leg.
Joe Bennett and Fin Stevens held their own extremely well against Peterborough’s tricky wingers while Moore and Ciaron Brown literally stuck their bodies on the line.
Stevens was booked in the first half and replaced by Long at the break. Initially, he looked nervous but grew into the game and even cleared what looked a certain goal off the line.
Bennett picked up a knock and was replaced by Greg Leigh and once again, the defence was secure.
It wasn’t just the backline. The midfield trio along with both wingers in Josh Murphy and Owen Dale also did their defensive duties expertly.
Wembley-Bound
We don’t need a third point – Oxford are heading to Wembley. I don’t know how many people read these articles but all I want to say for this final point is let’s go! Back the boys, bring the noise and see what happens! Up the Ox!
