Oxford United stretched their unbewten run to ten games in all competitions with a goalless draw at Sheffield Wednesday.
Despite a late penalty miss for the U’s, it was a solid display against one of this season’s promotion hopefuls.
Here are three talking points from the game.
Matchday Squad
There was one noticeable absantee from Oxford’s starting line-up with skipper Elliott Moore missing through illness. Sam Long came into the centre of defence as his replacement.
However, there was a return to the bench for Josh Murphy and a first place in a matchday squad for summer signing, Yanic Wildschut.
Changes During the Game
There was another blow in the game when Cameron Brannagan picked up an injury. He was replaced by Murphy.
Shortly after, James Henry and Wildschut came on with the latter making his competitive debut. There was also a late change with Gatlin O’Donkor replacing Matty Taylor
Late Chances
Oxford played the better football in the first half but Wednesday had the better chances. However, after the break, it was the U’s that created several late chances.
On 77 minutes, Wildschut saw an effort saved before Taylor’s rebound was cleared off the line. The ball then fell to Henry who skied his effort from six yards out.
Shortly after, Murphy made a bursting run through the middle with Oxford three against two and he played it out to Wildschut, but he took too long on the ball.
Then, in the fifth minute of injury time, O’Donkor was brought down in the box and the U’s were awarded a penalty. Murphy stepped up but his effort was saved.
