United march on after coming through their toughest test of the season. Goals from Alfie Potter and Adam Murray made it maximum points from three home games and kept United top of the table after five games of the Blue Square Premier season.
The first opening came on four minutes and saw Ryan Clarke make a magnificent save to deny Joel Byrom from twelve yards. The rebound was just about to be steered into the net by Chris Beardsley when Rhys Day made an astonishing recovery tackle to block the shot, injuring himself in the process but saving a certain goal. It meant an early opportunity for Luke Foster as Day limped off, but exemplified the fantastic 'thou shalt not pass' attitude of the United back line all afternoon.
Stevenage had the same attitude at the back and a spat between Constable and the entire visiting defence ended with two yellows and a submission inside the first fifteen minutes as tempers flared and challenges started to fly in, always just that fraction late.
A Sandwith free kick on 20 was arrowing into the corner of the net until Ashley Bayes tipped it away, but United weren't to be denied and from the corner United were ahead. Adam Murray's corner was cleared but returned with interest for Creighton to power in and head across goal where Potter and Green were in acres of space. It was Potter who was first to the ball and he swivelled acrobatically to smash home an unstoppable effort. Seven goals for United this season at home, all sucked into the net by the fans at the Oxford Mail end.
It was another fast paced game with no respite and Stevenage tested Clarke on 29 with a low shot from distance which the giant Bristolian clutched low to his left.
United had a great chance on 39 to double their lead as Constable charged down a Bayes clearance and the ball squirted right across the area for Potter. Unmarked and with the goal at his mercy Potter's scar flashed red as the Dementors swooped to blur his vision and force his shot to fly wide of the mark. Or he just missed if you prefer.
Foster flashed an effort over the bar on 45 but United had deserved their half time lead in their hardest game so far.
The second half started with Mitchell Cole firing narrowly over for the visitors but United looking very solid in defence, with the superb Dannie Bulman providing the inspiration in midfield. When Stevenage did get through on 55 Clarke made an absolutely startling save to keep Beardsley's header out; the keeper's right hand somehow blocking a header from a yard away and four yards from goal.
The bad feeling continued to niggle away with only an Ashes victory looking more certain than a red card, but with Creighton immense at the back and Batt maing two vital interceptions United stood firm and that allowed them to spring forward and clinch another three points as Murray netted the first at the fence end this season. It owed a lot to Constable's persistence as he held on to the ball in the penalty area with three men around him. Constable finally got a shot in which was blocked, but the ball went straight to the feet of Murray who took very deliberate aim to plant the ball home for his first of the season from the edge of the box.
Much has been made of James Constable's goals, but six other players have found the net for United in those opening five games and from Clarke's vital saves through to Constable's tireless running up front this was a real team effort.
Of course, United were always going to concede a goal to Yemi Odubade, given a warm welcome on his return, and with two minutes of injury time gone he tapped home from five yards as Cole's low shot from the left evaded everyone but found the sub lurking unmarked in front of the empty net. Fortunately it was too little too late and United saw it through.
Another good result and United's great start to the season gathers pace. Be part of it on Bank Holiday Monday as we welcome Forest Green Rovers.
Att: 5,775
Away: 224
Fifty/50 Winner: 24825
Report by Chris Williams
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