Oxford United’s good form continued with a 3-1 win on the road at third-placed Stevenage.
The U’s fell behind to an early goal but a Greg Leigh brace and late header from captain Elliott Moore sealed another important win.
Here are three talking points from the game:
Line-Up and Formation
For the first time this season, Liam Manning changed his formation and it was a switch that paid off.
The head coach switched to back three but Jordan Thorniley and Stephan Negru weren’t involved, despite the former helping keep clean sheets in the last two games. Instead, Moore was partnered alongside Sam Long and Ciaron Brown, with Leigh and Fin Stevens as the wing-backs.
Cameron Brannagan and Marcus McGuane were the middle two with Ruben Rodrigues, Billy Bodin and Tyler Goodrham the front three.
Character to Come From Behind
For the first time in the league this season, Oxford conceded the opening goal but went on to win. Against Cambridge and Port Vale, the opponents opened the scoring but the U’s were unable to come back.
This was against a well-organised and in-form Stevenage side so the character to turn the result on its head will be a massive motivation boost.
Who Needs Strikers?
With Gatlin O’Donkor only just returning from injury and Mark Harris sitting out the final game of his suspension, Bodin once again led the line, but all three goals came from defenders.
Leigh scrambled the equaliser before smashing home his and Oxford’s second. In fact, he could have scored a hat trick after seeing an early header sail over.
The final goal came from Moore, who penned a new deal this week, heading home from a Josh Murphy cross.
