Oxford United carried on their terrific start to the season which has seen them transform into contention striking Crawley down 3-1. A first for the season from Adam Chapman, Jack Midson and Steven Kinniburgh enough to seal the victory for the U's.
United were enforced into a double change Adam Chapman replacing the suspended Damian Batt and Jamie Cook's transfer forces him to be left out makes way for the fit now Jack Midson. Both changes providing United with the base to conquer the threat of Crawley.
It didn't take United to kick off in style. A 25 yard free kick at Chapman's' disposal struck a Crawley arm a yard outside the penalty area. The covering right back placed the ball took aim and hammered the ball past the covering red devils wall given Simon Rayner no chance in the Crawley goal at the car park end.
 | Chapmans stunning free kick set United on course for victory |
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Minutes later and it was the visitors who had their moment of glory. Typically former U's striker Louis who only plays well against United did so. Louis sprang forward in a chase with centre half Creighton, Louis palpating all over Creighton tearing his shirt of his superhero like frame disputably won a free kick on the edge of the United area. Surprisingly Louis unbeknown for his technical ability stepped up took fire and thanks to a deflection of a United man fired home past Ryan Clarke at the same end he became an Oxford cult hero scoring against Swindon in the cup. That status soon disappeared along with those memories as he raced past the United faithful kissing the Crawley badge. How fickle football can be.
This rallied United and so it should have. The players, fans and United's management alike were dismayed. The official Mr Madley must have realised by the constant jeering he may have made a slight blunder by anyone's standards!
 | Former striker Jefferson Louis seen here controlling against Yeovil drew Crawley level with a disputed free kick |
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Nevertheless United weren't to be done by 12 yet creating numerous chances before the break, through the impressive Jack Midson who failed to find the target with a couple and Constable the other culprit to add to United's woes. A shower of boos surrounding the referee at the interval as the players headed towards the tunnel even though United in truth had done little wrong in terms of putting in a performance.
The second began in similar fashion with United looking to make their chances count. The impressive Adam Chapman finding space to slide a delightful pass to the pass of Murray, with space and composure the creative spark of this United side picked out James Constable who was only able to find the back of a defender to deflect away from danger. Moments later and United were caught cold, again the imposing Jefferson Louis managed to get the better of United with precise movement and raw power, the gangly front man pounded the ball only to slam of the underside of the crossbar to give United a warning of further chances to come the visitor's way. Wilder's side weren't to be done and soon applied the pressure to stamp their authority on the game. Constable again testing Rayner only to see his effort denied.
25 minutes from the end and United finally took the initiative through loanee full back Steven Kinniburgh. Steve Evans sides are well known for their awkward style of play and time wasting tactics however United's patience was enough to fire them ahead. With Rayner carded for time wasting himself, the goal kick fin question fell to a yellow shirt. Kinniburgh in possession raced forward and from 25 yard purposefully chipped Raynor who in fairness was poorly positioned could only flap at the ball. United now 2-1 up.
Further chances followed however the next goal would pay dividends, luckily it came the home sides' way, Matt Green skipped clear of his man powering an effort within distance of Simon Raynor who could who parry. The rebound fell to the feet of Midson and from there on the rest is history! Midsons' tremendous nous for goal scoring is second-to-none and this was demonstrated, as he rounded Rayner to slot in for his second of the campaign, 3-1 United.
| Blue Square (Conference) Premier, Tuesday, 29th September 2009 @ 19:45 |
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