Oxford United picked up a rare home win against Bristol Rovers on Saturday.
Billy Bodin netted a first-half goal against his former club before Sam Long headed home his first of the campaign from a Cameron Brannagan corner.
However, it was a nervy ending despite the Gas being reduced to ten men before Oxford’s second, as the visitors scored late on before the U’s saw two players sent off in injury time.
Here are three talking points from the game:
Tactics and Formation
For the third game running, Liam Manning opted for a back three with Greg Leigh and Fin Stevens as the wing-backs.
Despite Bodin giving Oxford the lead with a tidy finish, the hosts were on the back foot for much of the opening 45.
As a result, Manning changed formation at the break and went to a back four, with Stan Mills coming on for Stevens.
This was a key move as the U’s were the better side in the second half, helped of course by the sending off for the Rovers man, but the ending descended into chaos.
Those Final Few Minutes
In the 88th minute, Oxford were two goals up and had a player advantage but less than ten minutes later, Bristol Rovers scored to reduce the deficit before Oisin Smyth and Mills were dismissed.
Smyth picked up an unnecessary second yellow card by kicking the ball away while Mills was dismissed for a ‘lunge’ on the Bristol Rovers man.
But for a late save from James Beadle, the Gas could have come away with a valuable point but Oxford held on to secure a fifth straight win.
James Beadle
As mentioned already with his injury-time save, it was another superb display from Oxford’s goalkeeper.
He was forced into action early doors, making a sensational double save just five minutes into the game. On the half-hour mark, Beadle was there again to deny Rovers an equaliser.
Once again, his shot-stopping, distribution and organisation was mature and disciplined.
