Oxford United returned to league action and picked up three points on the road at Carlisle.
A Mark Harris brace and a stunning solo effort from Tyler Goodrham put the U’s three goals up, but the Cumbrians did pull one back.
Here are three talking points from the game:
Line-Up and Formation
Jamie Cumming made his debut after the Chelsea goalkeeper arrived on loan earlier in the week.
There was also a return from illness for captain Elliott Moore who sat in the middle of a back three, which included Ciaron Brown and Oisin Smyth.
Joe Bennett and Fin Stevens started as the wing backs while Cameron Brannagan and Marcus McGuane were the midfield duo.
Harris led the line with Goodrham and Ruben Rodrigues either side.
There was also a return to the bench for Greg Leigh, who played 20 minutes as a second-half substitute.
Mark Harris
Oxford’s last league win came in their last league game – on the road at Charlton. Harris scored his first goal in four months at the Valley and we said that that could be a huge confidence boost for the Welshman.
That appears to be the case. He scored in the FA Cup defeat at Coventry and netted a vital brace at Brunton Park, meaning he has four goals in four games.
He took both goals well, too. The first came to him quickly from a corner kick but the striker adjusted well before prodding home from close range, while the second came from a through ball and he rounded the goalkeeper, turned back and bent the ball in off the post.
Admittedly, he started slowly and struggled with passes and first touches, but that was the case for most of the team before the opening goal.
Elliott Moore
Admittedly, Coventry had too much for Oxford in their FA Cup clash but it’s no surprise that a return to the line-up for Elliott Moore helped the U’s to a win.
The skipper remains a calming presence in the backline, whether that’s as part of a four or a three, as was the case at Carlisle.
The defender put in another strong performance and even played through a beautiful ball for Goodrham to add the third goal of the game.
