United soared to the top of the table this afternoon with a thumping win over Northwich Victoria. Goals from Rob Duffy, Carl Pettefer, Steve Basham, Gavin Johnson and Yemi Odubade gave The U's their best win since October 2003 and left the Nationwide Conference in no doubt that they mean business this season.

Chris Willmott and Barry Quinn returned from suspension and both started in defence.Matt Day dropped to the bench, but Steve Basham retained his place in attack alongside Rob Duffy.The changes did not seem to worry United though as straight from the first whistle, they were in the ascendancy.Anaclet in particular started well and his pace was causing the away team no end of difficulties.

In fact it was Anaclet who was at the heart of United's first real chance in the 8^th minute, when he was found in space by Carl Pettefer on the right.The pacey wing-back then played in a curling cross that Basham volleyed towards goal, but just when the ball looked as though it was going to nestle in the top corner, Phil Senior tipped the ball over the bar. It was a good effort by Basham, but better was to come in the 16^th minute, when United took the lead.

Oxford won a free-kick on the left, Burgess whipped in a cross that was cleared off the head of Willmott back into the path of Burgess.Without taking a touch, the talented play-maker then played a first time cross back into the box towards Rob Duffy. Just when it looked as though Duffy was going to head the ball back towards goal, the big striker chested the ball down and volleyed it home from 10 yards in one quick, smooth movement.It was a cracking goal and was also Duffy's fourth goal in four games and with feet as quick as that, maybe an appearance on Strictly Come Dancing was due.

The away side did not capitulate though and it took a good save from Turley to deny a Stuart Elliott five minutes later as the away side pushed forward for the first time in the match.

However, as much as they pressed, United always looked to have that extra bit of quality and more good work from Burgess forced a save from Senior from twenty yards in the 25^th minute and then a lovely deft chipped pass almost released Basham just five minutes later.

It's not that the visitors were a bad side, but they were allowing United time on the ball to dictate the pace of the match and play to their strengths.Much of the play was going through Burgess and his influence on the game at this early stage was massive.In fact in the 35^th minute, he could have sealed the three points when he just failed to turn Gavin Johnson's left wing centre into the goal from six yards. It would have been the knock-out blow, but that came just a minute later when a thunderbolt of a clearance hit Michael Carr flush on the chin.He did not beat the ten count, but far from throwing in the towel, at just one goal down, the away side were always in the match.

The point was almost proved in the 41^st minute when Paul Brayson burst through the United defence only to see his shot pushed away by Turley. But apart from that, the Oxford defence had marshalled the away team well. In fact the only thing the only thing that was missing was the killer second goal.The United fans did not have to wait long though as in the 45^th minute, they duly obliged. Basham headed a Burgess cross towards goal, but the ball was cleared back to the striker.Basham volleyed the ball back across the box, where a defensive mistake allowed the ball to drop at the feet of Pettefer who fired the ball home from eight yards.

The fun continued in the second half as United made it 3-0 just two minutes into the second period. Again it was a beautifully constructed goal . Burgess was at the heart of it again freeing Johnson on the left. His infield ball found Hargreaves who spread the ball wide left again to Burgess. Given too much time by the Vics defence, Burgess curled a great ball to the far post where Duffy headed back across goal and Steve Basham got in front of his defender to notch his first goal of the season

If we could have found a fat lady we'd have told her to sing, but United might have added another as Basham saw his left footed shot saved just before the hour, and were only really in danger if they relaxed too much. Willmott, Quinn and Gilchrist were in mean mood at the back and looking rock solid.

And if you want rock solid then look no further than Gavin Johnson, who has been superb all season. Johnson it was who made it four on 66 minutes, once again finishing off a flowing move that tore Northwich apart. The ball was worked left to right to Eddie Anaclet, well up in support of the attack as usual. Anaclet whipped the ball across, Burgess sold a sublime dummy and Johnson slammed the ball home for his first goal for the club.

In fairness to Northwich they had had a god spell just before the second goal and had kept playing football, and they got their reward on 76 minutes as Paul Brayson tapped home from seven yards after a swift break opened up United down the left channel.

It proved small consolation as five minutes later Basham slipped the ball through for sub Odubade, who tapped the ball past the keeper, beat him with ease and rolled the ball into the empty net for his second goal of the season.

A fine display, lapped up by the superb home fans, and setting up the invasion of Weymouth nicely. Where's our bucket and spades...

Report Julian Hitchman and Chris Williams, pictures Steve Daniels