Oxford United plucked out a statement win with a Friday night victory at home over promotion hopefuls, Ipswich.
The U’s took the lead twice at Grenoble Road and ran out 2-1 winners against the Tractor Boys.
Here are three talking points from the game.
Read More: Team News, Form and Predicted Line-Up as Oxford United Welcome Ipswich
Oxford United Win Against Ipswich
Mark Harris Ends Goal Drought
Having not scored in 33 games, it was a welcome relief for Mark Harris to open the scoring on Friday night.
The Welsh striker intercepted the ball and struck at goal. While it was initially saved, he reacted quickly to bend home the rebound.
And that goal gave him confidence with the forward forcing the goalkeeper into a save before having a go from inside his own half, which was also stopped by the Ipswich number one.
Super Jamie Cumming in Goal
Unsurprisingly, given the opposition, Oxford had their backs to the wall for large parts of the game, but Jamie Cumming made a string of immense saves to keep the U’s in the game.
Having conceded from a corner shortly after the restart, the Oxford goalkeeper made two saves in two minutes before literally putting his body on the line to save with his face.
And he kept his wits about him right until full time with the former Chelsea man making a crucial stop with just two minutes remaining.
Sensible Substitutions
Gary Rowett has been criticised for his changes at times this season but we have also highlighted the times that his substitutes have worked, and that was the case last night.
Will Lankshear and Przemyslaw Placheta replaced Harris and Stan Mills with half an hour remaining. Lankshear held the ball up well and wound the defence up, while Placheta was quick and direct, also providing an end product with the winning goal, running onto a beautiful ball from Brian De Keersmaecker before cutting inside and splitting home.
Then, Tyler Goodrham and Ole Romeny replaced Filip Krastev and Luke Harris. Goodrham had an attempt from range with his first touch, Romeny struck just wide from 25 yards out before Goodrham won the ball out wide, cut inside and forced the goalkeeper into a smart stop.
From an attacking point of view, the changes really helped Oxford get over the line and secure a valuable three points.
Featured image courtesy of IMAGO / Pro Sports Images
