PREVIEW Oxford United v Cambridge United

A full guide to tonight's Papa John's Trophy tie

12 January 2021

Oxford United welcome Cambridge United to the Kassam Stadium in the Papa John's Trophy Third Round tonight (7pm)

TEAM NEWS
The U's have had no game for ten days and as a result have almost a full squad to choose from. John Mousinho is the only player ruled out but Cameron Brannagan and Sam Winnall are both expected to play after long spells on the sidelines and players like Rob Hall, Anthony Forde and Mark Sykes are all likely to be given a chance to show what they can do.

Previous rounds have seen a number of younger players given their chance but with so many senior players needing game time it is likely to be a more experienced squad tonight.

Hear the thoughts of Craig Short and captain Elliott Moore in iFollow right now where you can also see the whole game live.

You can stream the game HERE

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THE OPPOSITION
Cambridge are up to third in League 2 after a 2-1 comeback win over Harrogate Town on Saturday. Goals from Joe Ironside and the experienced Wes Hoolahan sealed their win.

“I thought after the goal we were very dominant with the ball,” Head coach Mark Bonner said. "It was probably one of our better performances with the ball where we were able to find nice angles and combination passes to work our way up the pitch. I thought the two goals were very good in the second half and that we deservedly won the game.

“It was a really good collective effort from everybody after a blank week, and an opportunity with nobody else playing in the top half of the table to consolidate in and around the positions we’re in, so it’s an important three points.”

Former Oxford youngster Robbie Cundy will be hoping to impress against his former club. The central defender is currently on loan at the Abbey Stadium from Bristol City and expected to play.

MATCH SPONSORS
Our thanks to Oxford Blue Scaffolding for sponsoring the match. Find out all about them HERE

THOSE WE HAVE LOST
As this is our first home game of 2021 it is also a chance for us to look back and remember those we lost in 2020. A tribute to Oxford fans, players and staff who passed away last year will be on the scoreboard and across our social media channels during a one minute silence before kick off.

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 6.15pm.

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Match Reports

REPORT Oxford United 1 Cambridge United 0

Hall goal sees Oxford sink Cambridge. Full time report

12 January 2021

A stunning free kick from Rob Hall was enough to send Oxford United through to the fourth round of the Papa John's Trophy tonight. Hall's perfectly placed second half strike saw United move one step closer to a potential Wembley final with a hard-earned 1-0 win over League 2 Cambridge at the Kasssam Stadium.

Despite a much changed line-up United started strongly - Cameron Brannagan drilling a fantastic cross field pass to signal his return to the 11 and Elliott Moore testing visiting keeper Callum Burton’s handling with a header in just the third minute.

Brannagan fired a left-footed effort wide two minutes later and Hall drew another good save from Burton at the base of his left hand post as the home U’s pressed the visiting U’s back but credit to Cambridge who stood firm and grew into the game and had half chances when Joe Ironside headed a speculative effort wide on 22 and Paul Digby volleyed meekly as Simon Eastwood three minutes later.

United subtly switched shape after that, the ever-inventive Hall blasting two powerful efforts at goal- the first smack into Burton’s arms the other smack into Digby’s nose- but the closest we were to come to a first half goal came from the boot of Dan Agyei who was just off target from inside the box three minutes before the break.

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The second half saw Jamie Hanson lean back and ping an early effort well over the bat but the game was meandering and energy was needed. Cue a first for United on the hour: a quadruple substitution with Liam Kelly, Marcus McGuane, Mide Shodipo and Derrick Osei-Yaw tasked with finding the breakthrough.

Shodipo almost did that with his trademark 'goal the first time he touches it' routine but was wide of the mark from his usual spot befire a moment of class from Hall gave the U's the lead. Always dangerous from a set piece, Hall seemed to be too far out but his free kick from the right was perfect; right in the top corner to give Burton absolutely no chance. Six goals in a row past Burton for the Yellows.

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Cambridge now had no choice other than to throw men forward to try and stay in the competition and they did just that but found it tough going against the rock solid Elliott Moore and Sam Long with Simon Eastwood largely untroubled on his return to the side.

A great goal to decide a tight contest but United go through and are on a superb run at the moment with just one defeat in 11 games.

A win. A clean sheet. Quarter finals. Two games from Wembley. What's not to like?

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