Four years ago today, Oxford United secured promotion to League One following a 3-0 win over Wycombe Wanderers. Having dropped out of the Football League in 2006, it was the U’s first return to the third tier of English football since 2000/01.
On This Day: 2016 – Oxford United Secure Promotion to League One
Oxford United 3-0 Wycombe Wanderers
A 2-0 win at Carlisle United the week before had given the U’s the chance to finish the job in front of their own fans and put themselves in the position to finish the job without relying on other teams.
Second-half goals from Chey Dunkley, Chris Maguire and Callum O’Dowda gave Oxford a comfortable win over the Chairboys in front of just under 12,000 supporters.
Despite finishing 13 points behind Northampton Town, managed by former U’s boss Chris Wilder, Oxford were fully deserving of securing their League One status, finishing one point above the playoffs.
Michael Appleton’s side lost just eight league games – the second-best in the division – and scored the highest number of goals alongside conceding the lowest over the League Two campaign.
Fantastic Season
The U’s reached the fourth round of the FA Cup and despite defeat against Blackburn Rovers, Appleton’s side secured a memorable win over Premier League side Swansea City in the third round.
Oxford also reached the Football League Trophy final but suffered a narrow defeat at the hands of Barnsley.
Heroes of 2015/16
Some of the players Michael Appleton had at his disposal was real quality. George Baldock, now at Sheffield United, spent the first half of the season on loan before being recalled by MK Dons before Jonjoe Kenny came in from Everton.
Kemar Roofe, who was sold to Leeds United after netting 26 goals, John Lundstram, who also turns out for the Blades, and Chey Dunkley were all key figures for the team as the U’s secured promotion.
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