PREVIEW Oxford United v MK Dons

A full guide to tonight's Sky Bet League 1 game at the Kassam Stadium

20 October 2020

Oxford United welcome MK Dons to the Kassam Stadium tonight (7pm)

TEAM NEWS
An eye infection rules Cameron Brannagan out but defender Rob Atkinson is available again and Olamide Shodipo stands by for his first appearance since joining on loan from QPR on Friday.

Alex Gorrin made his first appearance as a sub at Peterborough on Saturday and Sam Winnall has now made two cameo appearances from the bench and both will be hoping for first starts while John Mousinho returned to training yesterday and could feature on the bench.

Hear from new signing Olamide in iFollow where we also hear from Karl Robinson ahead of the game.

THE OPPOSITION
Dons boss Russell Martin believes the U's are in a false position in the early table

“It’s such early days, the table won’t look anything like it does now at the end of the season,” he said in his pre-match press conference. “Hull, Sunderland and Ipswich were teams that people expected to be there at the top because of how good their squad is, but, other than that, it’s pretty open and hard to predict game to game. That’ll be the case for five to 10 more games.

“Christmas time is when it usually takes shape and teams show what they are fighting for. Hopefully, by that point, we will be in a different position and I think it’s the same for Oxford. They are a really good team, who have a really good style and a good manager who has loads of experience.

“We need to focus on us, first and foremost, but also be aware of what the other team possesses and their dangers.”

The Gaffer

See it LIVE

The Programme

MATCH SPONSORS
Our thanks to AWBS who are Match Sponsors this evening. Specialists in all aspects of buiulding and landscaping supplies, you can find out all about them HERE

There are plenty of sponsorship and commercial opportunities available. email commercial@oufc.co.uk or call 01865 337503 or 337513 to see how the U's can help your business

TICKETS
A reminder, if needed, that the game is behind closed doors and we once again ask all fans to respect the current situation and stay away from the stadium. Stay home and watch it on iFollow.

FOLLOW IT LIVE
The game is available for just £10 to view on iFollow and free to Season Ticket Holders, who should have receieved an email with their code - email ifollow@oufc.co.uk if not.

You can stream the game RIGHT HERE

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

Match Previews

Match Reports

REPORT Oxford United 3 MK Dons 2

U's get back to winning ways. Full time report

20 October 2020

Oxford United got back to winning ways tonight as goals from Matty Taylor, Sam Long and debutant Olamide Shodipo earned them a 3-2 win over MK Dons.

United had to work hard for their first league win at home and, early as it may be, the three points were more than welcome after a couple of frustrating games.

An early goal was the perefect start, and just five minutes into the game United were in front when Rob Atkinson, back in defence after injury, threaded a pass for left-winger Marcus McGuane to run on to. His low cross wasn’t dealt with and Taylor moved the ball out of his feet and passed home a trademark finish for his third goal of the season.

201020 MK Dons (2).jpg

Surely that would free the U’s up after a couple of frustrating performances in which they has failed to take their chances? Sadly nobody had thought to tell the Dons.

The visitors have a distinct style of play based on possession and passing, and on 10 minutes it was a typical flowing move, a ball down the left channel and a low cross from Daniel Harvie which allowed Jerome to sidefoot home one of the simplest goals of his career.

Few teams outdo the U’s in keeping the ball, but the first half hour of the game saw the visitors have 70 percent of the possession. They weren’t massively dangerous from that - Jerome nodded a header wide after 22 minutes - but United were having to work hard to close them down and just needed someone to put their foot on the ball and get them to impose their own style on the game.

One thing United don't do is panic or lose belief. If anything, they created the best chances of the first 45 minutes. Anthony Forde floated a free kick towards the top corner only for Lee Nicholls to tip it over the bar, and James Henry peppered the deserted car park with a couple of long-range efforts before forcing Nicholls into a parry just before the break as United ended the half with their best spell.

They continued to build up a head of steam and started to increase the pressure as they attacked the home flags after the break. Sykes was inches away from a Henry cross, Sean Clare sprinted half the length of the pitch but missed the target and then, finally, Long found a way to give them the lead.

On as a sub, Long is always a threat at set pieces and when Forde floated the most inviting cross into the box it was Long who timed his leap to perfection to give Nicholls no chance.

The better side after the break, McGuane and Sykes had presentable opportunities to further extend the lead before an element of niggle got into what had previously been a respectful game. The Dons pushed, leaving gaps. Sub Dan Agyei couldn't beat a sliding defender with an otherwise empty net to aim at, but no matter. On Came Shodipo, one touch, a blast from distance, bottom corner and surely game over?

Again, MK weren't playing ball and two minutes into added time Ben Gladwin strode forward and fired past Eastwood for another fine goal in an excellent game of football.

An unneccesarily nervous end but a welcome win. A good game. And on to the next one.

Can't wait.

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