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Post by clive on Aug 28, 2023 21:21:03 GMT
A remarkable game, and ultimately a first National League victory for City to move out of the bottom 4. I think we all would have settled for this after 6 games given the tough fixtures to start the campaign. However, the scoreline doesn't tell the real story of the game, as City took a battering in the first half, with two goal-line clearances from Canice, some sound keeping from Chris Haigh, some brave defending ( especially from Andre Burley ) and poor finishing from The Wood. However, once Nya Kirby's thunderbolt nestled into the bottom corner after 65 minutes it was a different game, and after having taken the lead for the first time this season, City looked a different side and dominated the final 25 minutes. It was also good to see Zac enter the fray with 6 minutes remaining, and he scored after having been on the pitch for less than 90 seconds. It might sound odd, but I thought Boreham Wood were a much better side than Maidenhead, and it is to City's credit to have racked up a 4-0 win. Hopefully, this result gives the team the confidence they do indeed belong at this level. As always, a full report is attached for anyone interested fatbearssportingdiaries.blogspot.com/2023/08/oxford-city-4-0-boreham-wood-att-1034.html |
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Post by Rijs on Aug 28, 2023 22:10:13 GMT
The old 'game of two halves' cliché was appropriate today as a City team that had struggled to get going in the first half turned it around magnificently in the second to run out easy and impressive winners against a team who had threatened to be formidable opponents. City fans were reaching for superlatives to describe a second-half display that reminded them of that famous play-off final first half which blew St. Alban's away.
It could all have been so different if Ndlovu's goal had not been ruled out for offside, or if Canice Carroll's weak back pass had not been fired into the side netting. The Wood Army were undoubtedly the better side for most of that first 45 minutes, dominating possession and pinning the Hoops back with their high press. They were big, physical, quick on the break and accurate in their passing. City, by contrast, were again a tad too slow in their build-up, and too casual in their passing, particularly the man who has been earning plaudits all season at the heart of our defence. The back pass error was not the only time Canice gave the ball away dangerously, but he did atone with his goalline clearances. City's defence had to work hard to keep it goalless.
That said, our boys did create a few openings at the other end. Josh Parker was involved in an immense battle with their man-mountain Stephens, who appeared to bring him down on the edge of the box early on. The ref waved that away, which encouraged the visiting giant to feel he could use his upper limbs as much as his lower ones in order to restrain City's leading scorer, and for the next hour he was all over Josh, who remained unintimidated. Finally, the ref had had enough and booked him. By that time, Josh had had a couple of chances. With the first, he held the ball too long when a simple pass to his unmarked namesake Ashby might have led to a goal; the second, early in the second period, was a shot that their keeper did well to save. Between the two, the returning loanee Olly Sanderson got in behind but fired over with only the goalie to beat, though admittedly the angle was narrow.
I wondered what the gaffer might say during the interval to improve things. Whatever it was, it worked a treat as (just as they had against Chesterfield) the Hoops came out with more zip, purpose and confidence for the second period. Josh Ashby was everywhere, Nya Kirby was pushing and probing, and Lattrell Humphrey-Ewers looked composed and strong behind them; midfield control was gradually wrested from their larger opponents, despite the absence of Captain Fleet, away on paternal duty (congratulations, Reece!). Good teamwork down our left side resulted in Lattrell receiving the ball on the edge of their area. He was surrounded and nearly lost it, but somehow retained possession and picked out Kirby, 25 yards from goal. Nya thumped the ball hard and low into the left corner. Deadlock broken; City had a lead for the first time this season, but could they keep it?
Enter Tafari Moore, stage right, with pace. The Wood began to look somewhat ragged. Lewis Miccio on the other side found Ashby in space with a lovely long ball, and one Josh promptly delivered it to another in the box. For a moment it looked as if, for the third time in the game, Parker might take too long trying to find an opening to shoot it through (the second time had ended with a shot-cum-pass across the goal, which Sanderson couldn't quite get to). But it was third time lucky as his powerful drive went off the keeper's body into the net. We had a breathing space now.
And suddenly, City were rampant, commanding at the back and swift to counter. Boreham Wood should have pulled one back with a clear chance created by a free kick, but it was volleyed over the bar. At the other end, City gave them a lesson in scoring from a set piece after Carroll was fouled. Once again it was an Ashby assist. Sanderson peeled away from the six-yard line and picked his spot when Josh gave him the ball. 3-0; and if we were not in dreamland yet, we soon would be when the returning hero Zac McEachran entered the contest with five minutes remaining, for his first competitive football this season. Within a minute he had opened his scoresheet after a quick one-two on the edge of the box. It was a typical Zac goal and a cool finish, the perfect way to round the match off. I couldn't see who gave him the wall pass but would not be surprised if it turned out to be Ashby again. He faced some rough treatment today and was limping a bit by the end, but undeterred, and he was my MOTM.
Overall, great to get four goals and three points; quite an achievement to keep our second clean sheet in succession, and a fine all-round performance. The pre-season pundits made us favourites for relegation - how could little City survive in the league of the big boys? I must admit, after the opening defeat at Aldershot I thought their predictions would be accurate, but now after this hammering of some very big boys in both senses today, I am beginning to think these blue-hooped underdogs could have been seriously underrated. We may stay where we are now, safely above the drop zone. COYH!
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Post by Rijs on Aug 28, 2023 22:26:44 GMT
Had I known your great report was coming, Clive, I could have saved myself the effort of a repetition, but we did report on a few different things, and such a match deserves a double! So it WAS Ashby who fed Zac for the goal, then...
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Post by Graeme on Aug 29, 2023 0:27:01 GMT
A report every bit as good as the game.
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Post by Graeme on Aug 29, 2023 1:08:11 GMT
It was good to have two such in depth reports on an historic win for City. Both complimenting each other in terms of exact focus and triangulating each other in terms of absolute fairness.
Wood did look a really organised team, they attacked remorselessly and at a blistering pace in the first half. The second half was like the last three years. Despite Zac and Reece missing from our famous three musketeers midfield, we took control. The difference being this was against a top National League team who made had made the play offs, and who as you say were much stronger than Maidenhead. Hard to argue against Josh Ashby as MOTM or that Canice had a rare inconsistent first half with a few uncharacteristic wayward passes in quick succession.
Encouraging too that the crowd was once again over a thousand. These are definitely days to savour.
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Post by clive on Aug 29, 2023 7:26:16 GMT
Had I known this great report was coming, Clive, I could have saved myself the effort of a repetition, but we did report on a few different things, and such a match deserves a double! So it WAS Ashby who fed Zac for the goal, then... We'll have to wait for the video to be put on YouTube, but it looked like Ashby with the assist to me ! |
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Post by clive on Aug 29, 2023 7:27:18 GMT
Great report Rijs.
Good to see we were watching the same game !
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Post by Oxford City on Aug 29, 2023 8:04:35 GMT
Threads merged
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Post by clive on Aug 29, 2023 11:05:00 GMT
Had I known this great report was coming, Clive, I could have saved myself the effort of a repetition, but we did report on a few different things, and such a match deserves a double! So it WAS Ashby who fed Zac for the goal, then... We'll have to wait for the video to be put on YouTube, but it looked like Ashby with the assist to me ! Yes, it was Ashby ! |
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Post by Rijs on Aug 29, 2023 11:15:24 GMT
Three assists in eleven minutes!
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Post by sgodfrey81 on Aug 29, 2023 12:53:58 GMT
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Post by ChrisB on Aug 29, 2023 13:43:27 GMT
Thanks Clive & Rijs for all the insights into a great result for City. Biggest win against BW in almost 30 meetings, and really good to see there was a >1000 crowd: last time we played them at Marsh Lane (almost 20 years ago now) the crowd was 149.
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Post by City Gent on Aug 29, 2023 18:02:41 GMT
Gutted with that result. Bet £1 on City to win and both teams to score @ 7/1. Suppose I shouldn't moan really...
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Post by Rijs on Aug 29, 2023 21:45:56 GMT
Many thanks to Simon for another fantastic set of photos. Two things that stand out for me are the clear evidence of City players repeatedly being held, obstructed or having their shirts pulled; and the smiles on the faces of all City players and supporters in the closing stages, especially Zac's!
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Post by Graeme on Aug 29, 2023 23:12:09 GMT
Many thanks to Simon for another fantastic set of photos. Two things that stand out for me are the clear evidence of City players repeatedly being held, obstructed or having their shirts pulled; and the smiles on the faces of all City players and supporters in the closing stages, especially Zac's! The other thing that stands out from Simon's photos is the shift in the age of City supporters that has occurred in recent years. There is a feeling of new generations breathing new life into the club.The youtube highlights also capture the shift in atmosphere and noise in the ground now. There's also a great shot Mike took of Nya after scoring published in one of the OM's reports. Again it captures his pure joy at opening the scoring and Aaron WB running behind him equally elated. Generally the OM coverage of City has been slightly better this season. Coincidentally one of Simon's photos captures the Mail's reporter Liam next to the commentary team. Let's hope he is inspired to keep on improving the coverage of the Hoops. |
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