Oxford United recorded an emphatic win against bottom club Gillingham, scoring seven Football League away goals for the first time in their history.
Billy Bodin opened the scoring before Cameron Brannagan added a second from the spot. Matty Taylor added a third as Oxford found themselves in control within just 20 minutes.
After the restart, Brannagan netted two more from 12 yards to record his first-ever hat-trick before Gillingham pulled one back, but Brannagan, again from the spot, added a sixth.
Gills netted a second but substitute Anthony Forde added a seventh goal late on. Here are three talking points from the game.
Quick Start Was Important
Bottom club Gillingham headed into the game without a win in 16, but despite their dismal run and league position, it still felt like one of them games that Oxford could slip up.
Scoring early was important, particularly as the hosts had a good first opportunity to take the lead themselves, but when Bodin netted the opener, the result was never in doubt.
Adding another two goals inside 20 minutes finished the game off and with Oxford five goals up just ten minutes into the second half, it allowed manager Karl Robinson to rest key players ahead of a trip to Wigan on Tuesday night.
Set Piece Goals
After a winning goal against Sheffield Wednesday from a set-piece, it was good to see the U’s add another from a dead-ball situation.
Obviously, four came from the penalty spot but the U’s have missed a couple from 12 yards this season so for Brannagan to confidently step up and successfully dispatch all of them was pleasing.
Also, Oxford’s third goal came from a free kick and like the winner against Wednesday, Bodin provided the delivery. His whipped ball was nodded home by Taylor to score his 15th goal of the campaign.
Billy Bodin and the Number Ten Role
With Herbie Kane sitting out the final of his three-game suspension and James Henry injured, the U’s once again played with two in midfield as one behind Taylor. For both games that was Bodin.
The formation didn’t fully work against Sheffield Wednesday but Bodin’s role was important, before adding an assist for Winnall’s header.
Against the Gills, the formation worked wonders and Bodin showed his class. For the goal, Mark Sykes played a delightful ball through to him before he kept his composure in the box to slot the ball into the bottom corner.
As previously mentioned, his dead ball capabilities are also a threat with the midfielder adding two assists in as many games, but his all-round play was pleasing.
