Oxford University Association Football Club

Oxford leave it late as Wherry guides them to victory

Worcester University 1st 2-3 Blues

A towering header from captain Tom Wherry less than 2 minutes from time gave Oxford a vital win as they left it late to come from behind and beat Worcester University, maintaining their position at the top of the table. The win was ultimately a deserved one, although Oxford looked set to lose or draw the game after squandering a host of easy chances throughout the game.

Maintaining the same line-up from the game against Warwick, the Blues started strongly and a long clearance from Whylly was flicked into de Walden’s path by Kelly, before de Walden was brought down by the Worcester centre-back in a foul that was controversially deemed to be inside the box. Toogood failed to score the penalty, as the ‘keeper guessed correctly and dived at full stretch to deny Oxford the lead, and just ten minutes later it was Worcester who took the lead. Oxford failed to clear their lines from a corner, and after being given too much space on the edge of the box, an opportunistic shot by the Worcester midfielder beat Whylly at his near post, to give Worcester an ideal start. This lead was soon double as their striker found space down the channel, before attempting an audacious shot from the edge of the box. The shot was deflected by left-back Squires, and looped over the helpless Whylly, landing in the back of the net to leave Oxford stunned.

This sloppy and unfortunate start proved to be a wake-up call as Oxford began to carve out chance after chance, although the finishing left a lot to be desired. De Walden was unlucky not to score after a pinpoint cross from Squires was saved well, and Toogood was unfortunately unable to adjust his feet in time to steer the rebound into the net from close range. A worse miss was to occur just moments later after good work from Toogood resulted in the ball being squared to de Walden, who with the whole goal at his mercy conspired to send the ball looping up over the bar. Weston was extremely unlucky not to reduce the deficit a few minutes after this, as his 25 yard pile-driver cannoned back off the bar as the ‘keeper stood motionless. Oxford did however manage to pull one goal back before half-time through McCrickerd. A poor free-kick from Kelly was only able to find the defensive wall but the rebound fell to the feet of McCrickerd, who with the sweetest of sweet strikes smashed the ball into the open net with his weaker left foot, giving Oxford something to build on in the second half.

It was Worcester however who threatened at the start of the second-half, with defenders Wherry and Hodgson being kept busy by the two Worcester strikers who were linking up well between themselves. As the half wore on however Oxford began to create more chances, but as was the case in the first half they seemed reluctant to convert these chances, Kelly somehow blazing over from 3 yards after a Farr cross had found him free at the back post. A skillful run from McCrickerd led to another left-footed screamer, which could only find the post. The rebound fell to Kelly completely unmarked 6 yards out, but once again he managed to hit it over the bar. In fairness, it was the first time he had ever used his right foot, so maybe it was to be expected.

The introduction of Zagajewski, Hall and Desai gave Oxford fresh legs, and it was barely a minute after their introduction that Oxford drew level. Neat play between Desai, Kelly and Toogood forged open a chance for Knight, and his shot was correctly adjudged to have been blocked using an arm, giving Oxford a second penalty of the game. After missing the first, Toogood passed responsibility onto Fresher Zagajewski, who duly sent the ‘keeper the wrong way, and it seemed only a matter of time before Oxford would go on to win the game. It seemed they had done just after good work from McCrickerd and Zagajewski down the right set Toogood up in the box, but his shot once again found the crossbar.

The third and winning goal did arrive however with just minutes to spare, and brought mass delirium to the Oxford players, who sensed the importance of the three points gained. A corner from the right found the head of Wherry to give Oxford their first goal from a corner all year, as his powerful header left the ‘keeper with little chance, and evoked memories of a similar goal in the Centaurs Varsity match two years ago.

With just three games to go, Oxford have the title within their grasp for a second year running, but more clinical finishing will be required if this goal is to be achieved.