Sunday 16th May. Remember the date, it could be the start of a new era for Oxford United. The victorious U’s will once again be playing league football next season after a four-year absence thanks to a 3-1 defeat of York City at Wembley Stadium.
The result was enjoyed by over 35,000 Oxford fans who had made the short trip to North London; as the stadium announcer quite rightly said ‘will the last one out of Oxford please turn out the light?’. York on the other hand could only muster a paltry support of 8,000 for what was their second trip to the capital in 2 years following last year’s 2-0 defeat by Stevenage in the FA Trophy final.
The travelling band of northern fans had to endure the taunts of a yellow army, which outnumbered them almost 5 to 1 and were frequently subjected to a chant of ‘you should have come in a taxi’.
The game did not bring much respite for York either: opening exchanges aside it was a high-energy Oxford side who quickly took control, helped by an impressive performance from man of the match Adam Chapman. The U’s midfielder could have played his last game due to a charge of causing death by dangerous driving; he will be sentenced next month.
The deadlock was broken just after a quarter of an hour thanks to a quite exquisite turn and shot from Oxford forward Matt Green. A long ball from U’s keeper Ryan Clarke was won in the air by captain James Constable after York keeper Michael Ingham had rushed out to clear the danger. The unlikely knockdown was picked up by Jack Midson, he then lofted the ball to Green, who dispatched the ball into an empty net, albeit with a lot to do.
To their credit York responded well to the early setback and could have hit an instant reply, they were unlucky to see centre back Ryan McGurk flash a header wide from a corner. However, City were to be dealt a hammer blow just 5 minutes later. Oxford top scorer James Constable, dubbed ‘Beano’ by his adoring supporters, forced his way through a meagre defence to fire what was his 26th goal of the season past the despairing dive of keeper Ingham. It was little more than Oxford deserved for a sustained spell of pressure.
Just when U’s fans thought that the game was over, York were handed a lifeline. Five minutes before half time Oxford keeper Ryan Clarke inexplicably fumbled a quite tame looking cross into his own net giving York City the impetus going into the interval.
The second half started as the first had ended with York City having the majority of possession. In a desperate search for an equaliser, York threw on the much travelled ex-Portsmouth winger Courtney Pitt but he was to endure a similar fate to that of his former club, defeated by Chelsea in the FA Cup final a day earlier.
Oxford’s win was sealed in the final minutes. York, who had left themselves exposed at the back whilst searching for an equaliser, were caught cold when Alfie Potter and Sam Deering broke clear. A cleverly worked one-two left Potter with time to drill past Ingham into the bottom right hand corner sparking scenes of utter jubilation.
It was a sweet victory for Oxford boss Chris Wilder who had suffered the pain of playoff defeat with Halifax in 2006. He told reporters that the U’s needed to use this promotion as a ‘springboard’ and it will certainly be interesting to see how United’s march up the football league progresses in the coming seasons. The victorious U’s team was presented to their adoring faithful in a victory parade throughout Oxford the Tuesday after their glorious victory.
The streets were lined with fans dressed in yellow. The sheer number that turned out to celebrate was testament to the overwhelming support the U’s have received not only at Wembley but also during the season.
The summer months present a period of hard work for United who will be keen to be a force in League Two next season. They will need to keep hold of key players who will be sure to have caught the eye of watching managers.
One player sure to attract attention is hotshot striker Constable, with many league managers now willing to take a chance on a non-league striker. A return of 26 league goals will not have gone unnoticed.
One thing is for sure, whatever happens the U’s are backed by some of the best and most vocal fans in the country.
