PREVIEW Oxford United v Bristol Rovers

A full guide to Saturday's Sky Bet League 1 game

22 January 2021

TEAM NEWS
The U's have almost a full squad to choose from. John Mousinho is the only player missing as he recovers from an operation on his knee but otherwise the U's are fully fit and raring to go after a blank weekend after the game at Northampton was postponed last Saturday.

Last time out a Rob Hall goal saw the U's overcome Cambridge in the Papa John's Trophy, a game which saw Cameron Brannagan and Sam Winnall return after injury. However the previous game saw United secure their best win of the season away at Burton and boss Karl Robinson faces some interesting choices.

Hear Karl's thoughts in iFollow right now where you can also hear from Alex Gorrin and Rob Atkinson and see the whole game live.

You can stream the game HERE

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The Programme

THE OPPOSITION

Rovers boss Paul Tisdale is looking for his side to start their own run of positive results by ending United's tomorrow:

"They play (good) football and I’m expecting some space and I’m expecting a good football match" he said. "They’ve got a bit more form recently, so well done them, but with the way we played for the last four or five weeks I’m expecting we can give them a good game.

"As close as you are to losing two or three in this league, we’re as close to winning two or three in a row. That might be the start of a run on Saturday."

"I am of course aware of the league table, every game is vitally important no matter where you are in the table, but I’m more than confident, with the progress we’ve made already, with the players we have, with the feedback from the players, that we’re going to be absolutely fine and we’re going to move up the table over the next 20 plus games."

MATCH SPONSORS
Our thanks to Grundon Recycling, celebrating a ten year connection with the club by sponsoring the match. Find out all about them HERE

COVERAGE
As well as live coverage on iFollow we have all the build up on twitter and on our official Insta page, complete with behind the scenes exclusive content, plus a full report and Gallery right here on the final whistle and reaction from all the key men in iFollow.

And look out for some special guests on the official You Tube channel for 'Matchday Live', available to help you get in to matchday mood from 2.15pm.

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Match Reports

REPORT Oxford United 2 Bristol Rovers 0

Taylor double makes it six wins in a row for the U's

23 January 2021

A clinical brace of goals from Matty Taylor earned Oxford United a 2-0 win over Bristol Rovers at the Kassam Stadium this afternoon.

A goal in either half from the former Rovers forward was enough to extend United's run to six wins in a row and maintain their upwards trajectory as they once again dominated large periods of the 90 minutes.

Initially unchanged from the team that won 5-1 at Burton in their last league game, with the exception of Liam Kelly in for Anthony Forde, United were forced into an early change when Marcus McGuane limped off with a thigh injury, to be replaced by Cameron Brannagan inside the first 15 minutes. The U’s adjusted quickly and started to apply pressure for the first time with Mide Shodipo starting to get some joy down the flanks and Brannagan twice chancing his arm from the edge of the box without testing keeper Joe Day in the Rovers goal.

The opening goal came with a certain inevitability from Taylor against his former club but owed plenty to U’s skipper Elliott Moore, who showed good strength to nod the ball behind a static Rovers back line after a James Henry free kick had been headed skywards by Josh Ruffels. Taylor, in Taylor Territory, flicked home and the U’s were ahead.

230120 bristol rovers (16).jpg

United dominated the rest of the first half without truly testing Day enough and there were gentle reminders at the start of the second half when Abu Ogogo and Max Ehmer planted shots either side of the goal when in good positions. United saw drives from the excellent Kelly and Shodipo blocked around the edge of the area and were still in charge of the game, but a second goal was needed to settle any nerves.

A five-minute delay while assistant referee Nicholas Cooper was replaced after a hamstring injury gave both sides time to regroup just after the hour and Rovers started to open up a little more as they chased the game. That in turn allowed United more space; Shodipo was guilty of a couple of wayward crosses from great positions with players well placed inside the box.

However, on 73 it was game over as Taylor scored his second. Rovers may blame the change of officials; Taylor was close to the last defender when Ruffels clipped a great pass through to him, but once clear Taylor took the ball towards goal, waited for Day to commit then calmly clipped it past him for a clinically taken goal. Eleven for the season for Taylor and six in his last five games…

Rovers have been a bogey team at home for the U's and with nothing to lose did all they could to once again ruin United's day, but a great save from Jack Stevens ensured another clean sheet and United are on the march. Sub Jordan Obita went close with a shot across the face of goal as we moved into ten minutes of time added on and there was one more important save for Stevens to make from Hanlan from close range, but United were full value not just for the win but also another solid defensive performance at the other end.

Another accomplished team performance, two more goals from their talisman, and every department of the team looking good.

Upwards and onwards. See you at Rochdale on Tuesday night.

Report by Chris Williams, pictures Steve Daniels, stats by OPTA