Oxford United picked up all three points in a scrappy meeting against bottom club Crewe on Tuesday night.
Karl Robinson named an unchanged side to the one that beat Charlton last time out, meaning the 3-5-2 formation was once again in use.
However, the U’s weren’t as deadly in front of goal as they were at the Valley and they picked up the points thanks to Ciaron Brown’s first goal for the club.
Here are three talking points from the game.
Second Successive Clean Sheet
Having previously gone ten games without one, the U’s have now kept back to back clean sheets. The shutout against Charlton was a first in 11 and just a second in 16.
Defensive vulnerabilities have been a cause for concern in recent weeks but securing successive clean sheets, particularly on the road, will be a huge confidence boost.
Scrappy Game
Where Oxford showed their class and skillset against the Addicks, they showed a gritty and tenacious performance against the Alex.
It was a frustrating evening, for both teams in truth. Crewe hit the Woodwork and forced Jack Stevens into a couple of saves while the U’s struggled to get anything on target, with Sam Baldock, Herbie Kane and Cameron Brannagan all seeing efforts miss.
The scrappiness continued in the shape of Oxford’s goal, too. A short free-kick didn’t really work but the U’s managed to get the ball back into the box. However, Crewe failed to clear their lines and Brown smashed home his first goal for the club.
Did it for Joey
Following the win over Charlton, news quickly emerged of the passing of former Oxford midfielder, Joey Beauchamp.
All weekend, tributes have been paid to the homegrown legend, who died aged just 50.
Prior to the game at Crewe, much of the pre-match buildup was rightly overshadowed by the loss of Joey and the focus on the match wasn’t really there.
To grind out a win on a difficult pitch and under difficult conditions off it was a testament to the players. And although Saturday’s home game will be in memory of the former winger, the result at Crewe was also for Joey.
