Oxford United have seen there winless away run continue after the U’s lost 1-0 at Watford.
Despite the result, it was a promising performance from Des Buckingham’s side in Hertfordshire.
Here are three talking points from the game.
Oxford United Lose at Watford
Oxford United Missed Chances
Oxford put in a brilliant first half performance but, despite that, didn’t create too many meaningful chances in front of goal.
Greg Leigh fired one over from 20 yards in the opening five minutes while Tyler Goodrham also failed to test the goalkeeper with another long-range effort. Peter Kioso then jinked into the box and saw a cross-cum-shot bobble just wide.
However, after the restart, the U’s looked more threatening despite Watford growing into the game. Hidde ter Avest poked an effort straight at the goalkeeper from close range, while Mark Harris saw a long-range effort almost catch the Watford shot-stopper out before bicycle kicking the ball over from three yards out later on. Skipper Elliott Moore was denied with a vital block four minutes into stoppage time, which proved it wasn’t going to be Oxford’s night.
Jamie Cumming (Again)
Another superb performance from Oxford’s number one. The former Chelsea man has made the step up from League One with relative ease and was on hand to make several saves from the Hornets.
The goalkeeper will feel slightly aggrieved with the goal conceded just ten minutes into the second half, having saved the initial shot before almost stopping the rebound. Despite that, he did what he was asked to do and is looking like a quality addition.
Best Away Performance of the Season
Besides their 2-0 defeat at Sunderland last month, Oxford have battled in all of their away games this season and have been frustrated to return home without maximum points.
At Coventry, the home side were the better team but it was a resilient display and should have left with a point before a stoppage-time mistake, while at Blackburn, the U’s more than held their own.
At Bristol City, Oxford took the lead before two quick goals, one of which was a controversial penalty, turned the game in the hosts favour.
The U’s then picked up their first point on the road at Luton, and had to come from two goals down which showed real character, before another draw away at Portsmouth.
However, this was arguably the best away performance of the season so far. Oxford United have been in all of those games but have maybe just lacked that clinical edge or make a slight mistake. That wasn’t the case at Vicarage Road, as the U’s could, and probably should, have left with at least a point.
