United gave new boss Chris Wilder the perfect home start as they cruised past The Fleet this afternoon. Goals from Lewis Haldane, James Constable, Yemi Odubade, Phil Trainer and Alex Fisher ensured that 2008 ended in great style for the U's as they gave their new manager a first win.
With Jamie Guy ill and Joe Burnell joining Sam Deering, Chris Carruthers and Barry Quinn on the injured list new boss Wilder was forced to make changes and opted to move Haldane up front, bring in James Clarke at right back, Eddie Hutchinson in midfield and play Odubade and Trainer on the flanks. It was the Haldane switch which proved to be the masterstroke as United romped into an early lead .
After a cautious opening fifteen minutes United came to life with the first meaningful attack of the game as Constable burst through a weak challenge thirty yards out and sprinted for goal. James Smith got back at him but Constable cut inside and shot low and hard, with keeper Cronin smothering his effort. Trainer and Odubade had follow up efforts blocked but within sixty seconds of that first attack United were in front.
Luke Foster sent a long ball forward which Constable guided on towards Haldane inside the box. Haldane, back to goal, span past Smith and hooked the bouncing ball superbly past the stranded Cronin for his second of the season. It was a fitting reward for a fine display, and four minutes later the on-loan Bristol Rovers man played an integral past as United doubled their advantage.
This time Foster sent the ball down the left channel where Constable showed good awareness to flick towards Haldane on the wing. Haldane went at pace towards the box and then pulled the ball for the thundering run of Hutchinson. He was thwarted by a sliding tackle but the ball continued to the right where Constable gleefully planted it into the back of the net for his eleventh Oxford goal of a season which continues to gather pace.
Ebbsfleet, lacking the guidance and organisational power of Paul McCarthy and the threat of Michael Gash, looked workmanlike without really causing too many problems, with a Smith header from a corner their only real chance of the first half.
They did apply a little pressure either side of half time but on 51 they knew their year was ending badly as The U's went three goals clear. Chris Willmott won two headers at the back in succession and retrieved the second himself before threading a precise ball through to Cronin. The Fleet keeper obligingly missed it completely and presented the onrushing Odubade with a very empty and inviting goal and the ball at his feet. 3-0.
Ebbsfleet scored a consolation on 77 minutes as midfielder Stacy Long hammered a fine free kick past Turley from the edge of the box but it was too little too late as United closed the game out with the confidence of a team that has got into very good habits at home, and scored a fourth with nine minutes left. A high looping ball into the box saw sub Alex Fisher bravely challenge with Cronin, whose fist sent the ball spinning behind them both towards the far post. The ever alert Trainer was on hand to slot home from an acute angle for his fifth of the season to make it 4-1.
It got even better. Five minutes left and the excellent Adam Murray slotted another good pass through the beleaugured Fleet defence for Fisher to run on to. As we all know, Feed the Fish and he will score! The young sub took a touch to get the ball out of his feet, strode purposefully forward and hammered it past Cronin to make it 5-1 and spark some early end of year celebrations.
Nine games unbeaten at home now for The U's, with seven wins among those games. Three managers have played a part in that run but it's Wilder who now has the opportunity to ensure it is not yet another false dawn.
Att: 5,120 and 1 dog
Away: 91
Report by Chris Williams
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