Oxford United secured a derby win but lost to league leaders Hull City this week, while Karl Robinson could welcome back more players from injury as the fixtures keep on coming. Here is the Oxford United weekly round-up:
Oxford United Weekly Round-Up: Derby Win, Hull Defeat and Injury Updates
Derby Win as Oxford United Beat Swindon Town
There is only one place to start this week and that is Oxford United’s victory on Tuesday night – a derby win over rivals Swindon Town.
The U’s headed to the County Ground without a win in six but had drawn their last three. Swindon had won the reverse fixture back in November, so revenge was on the minds of the players and fans.
And it took just three minutes for Oxford to take the lead when Rangers loanee Brandon Barker fizzed a shot in the bottom corner, via a couple of deflections, to put the U’s ahead.
Swindon were awarded a controversial penalty in the second half but, for the second time in as many games, Jack Stevens made the save. Substitute Dan Agyei then doubled the U’s lead just 30 seconds after coming on and although the Robins scored late on, it was a comfortable victory for Oxford.
League Leaders Too Good for the U’s
On Saturday, Oxford travelled to league leaders Hull City. Goals in each half from Keane Lewis-Potter sealed the win for the Tigers, but the U’s put in a strong display.
While Hull were clinical in front of goal, Oxford squandered opportunities – a common theme in recent weeks with just three goals scored in seven games. Despite that, it was a positive performance from the U’s and something to build on ahead of back to back home games against Doncaster Rovers and Blackpool.
Injury Ups and Downs
Karl Robinson has confirmed that defender Sam Long will join James Henry on the sidelines until Easter. It’s a blow for the U’s to lose the right-back for a significant amount of time, but Anthony Forde and Jamie Hanson have both provided cover in his absence.
Elliot Lee returned to the field at the KCOM Stadium on Saturday, while Sam Winnall could return to the field for the U’s visit of Blackpool next Saturday.
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