MATCH PREVIEW Oxford United v Bolton Wanderers

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

11 February 2022

Oxford United welcome Bolton Wanderers to the Kassam Stadium on Saturday (3pm)

The U's could have their third crowd in a row of over 10,000 for the first time since 1987 and will be looking to recreate the drama of last week's win over Portsmouth.

TEAM NEWS
On-loan Cardiff defender Ciaron Brown is fit again after rolling an ankle at Accrington while Luke McNally is expected to be available again after missing Tuesday's game.

Boss Karl Robinson must decide whether to revert to a three-man defence that started against Pompey or stick with the more usual four. Sam Long may hold the key and the U's will assess his fitness after a calf injury.

James Henry is maybe two weeks away from a return but Jamie Hanson and Alex Gorrin are ruled out through longer term injuries.

See Karl, Jack Stevens and Ciaron Brown previewing the game in iFollow.

THE OPPOSITION
Bolton are in excellent form and boss Ian Evatt is hoping his side can kick on in the final third of the season and challenge for a play-off place

“We want to hunt down the teams above us and we are aware that there is quite a gap to those teams,” he said. “So for this type of game we have to make sure we gain points on the teams ahead of us, and that predominantly means beating them. We have got most of them yet to play. Portsmouth, Sheffield Wednesday, Plymouth at home. We have got our eye on what is to come.

“But for now, we know full well that Oxford is a very, very tough game. They have got a good home record and they score loads of goals, so we have to be full tilt and ready to go.”

The Gaffer

The Programme

Meet the Sponsors

TICKETS
With a crowd of over 10,000 expected we advise fans to book as early as possible. Tickets are available in advance from oufctickets.co.uk or by calling 01865 337533 and from the Ticket Office on matchday.

PARKING AND ACCESS

There are around 2,000 free parking spaces at the stadium but we ask everyone to arrive early and park legally.

There will be no access from one end of the ground to the other behind the Planet IT North Stand with a barrier in place. Please park at the correct end of the ground where possible.

VISITING FANS
Click here for a full away fan guide: 2021 away guide.pdf

Please park in the West car park - the one closest to the cinema and bowling complex at the fence end of the ground.

GETTING HERE
The Football Special bus services, including the Didcot/Abingdon service, are running as normal and offer easy and affordable transport to home games. CLICK HERE for a full guide to public transport to the game.

Please note that the OX2 timetable has changed and buses leave ten minutes earlier that they were doing earlier in the season:OUFC - Special Service - February 2022 - Timetable.pdf

FAMILY

Click here for a full guide to bringing your family to the Kassam Stadium: 2021 family guide.pdf

Under 18s welcome Bournemouth

Women Take on London Bees

FIFTY/50

With another big crowd expected it will also mean a big prize for the Polythene UK half time draw. The prize was over £1,000 for the Sheffield Wednesday game so make sure you buy your ticket, available all around the ground.

COVERAGE

You can hear the whole game in iFollow in the UK and see it overseas, with interviews with all the key men after the game.

You can also follow the whole game on twitter through @OUFCOfficial or on our Instagram page and we will have a full match report and Gallery right here on the final whistle.

Pre Match Videos

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Match Reports

REPORT Oxford United 2 Bolton Wanderers 3

U's beaten by Bolton. Full time report

12 February 2022

Two goals from Billy Bodin weren't enough as a late goal from Amadou Bakayoko saw Bolton Wanderers win 3-2 at the Kassam Stadium this afternoon.

The U's were left frustrated after Bodin's two fine goals were both equalised quickly through Declan John and Marlon Fossey, before Bakayoko poked home the winner with five minutes left to see United lose at home for the first time in 2022.

A third crowd of over 10,000 in a row were there (the first time since 1987 that the club had achieved that figure) but most went home disappointed as the U's twice threw away a lead too easily.

United, attacking the East Stand in the first half, struck first. They had already seen Matty Taylor roll an effort just wide after four minutes but didn’t have too long to wait for their opener, as Bodin stepped up and curled a magnificent effort into the top left corner to give them the lead after nine minutes.

120222 bolton 1st (4).jpg

Amazingly, within 30 seconds that counted for nothing. Bolton wandered forward, left-back John found space on the left of the box and his low shot flew past Stevens for a swift leveller.

It was gripping stuff. Brannagan and Bakayoko both made the keepers work when well placed before Bodin restored the lead with another stunning strike. Having worked the ball out to Gavin Whyte on the right Bodin kept moving forward to make himself available on the edge of the box. A drop of the shoulder created the space and a rasping low effort flew beyond the reach of keeper James Trafford to rattle into the bottom left corner for a terrific goal that made it 2-1.

Again the lead didn’t last long. This time it was six minutes and it was right-back Fossey’s turn to score a top goal. From a United point of view he had too much space inside the box but you couldn’t really argue with the finish as he moved the ball to one side then smashed it high into the roof of the net to make it 2-2, before back-flippng his way gleefully towards the delighted 1,700 away fans.

United had chances. Trafford got down well to deny the flying Whyte before the break and block a Brannagan blast shortly after while an off-balance Taylor rolled another effort wide after an hour.

But the chances dried up as Bolton tightened up at the back, and with five minutes left Fossey again stormed forward and cut out the whole back line with a cross which Bakayoko simply couldn't miss, five yards from an empty net.

It's always a five-goal thriller but this time United were the ones suffering from last-minute heartbreak. An injury time deflection scooped the ball agonisingly onto the roof of the net among high drama, Jack Stevens joined the attack, but there was to be no late late show and United were beaten.

Long way to go, but two defeats in a row see United looking for a reaction when they travel to Charlton next Saturday.

Att: 10,027

Away: 1,750

Fifty/50 winning number 20390 wins £1,000

Report by Chris Williams; pictures: Steve Daniels and Rex Shutterstock

Match Reports

Ticket News

Back the U’s to Break Attendance Record

Your rallying call to make it a hat-trick of 10k crowds

7 February 2022

Oxford United are calling on all members of the Yellow Army to rally round the U’s in a bid to make it three consecutive 10k crowds in a row – a first for league fixtures since the club moved to the Kassam Stadium in 2001.

Karl Robinson and his side have been spurred on to two huge victories against Sheffield Wednesday and Portsmouth in recent weeks at home, and this has been due in no small part to the vocal and unwavering support of every single fan who has headed through the turnstiles.

Saturday’s encounter with in-form Bolton Wanderers presents another opportunity for the Yellow Army to show their support for their team, and with a near sold out away end full of our visitors from the North-West, your backing could prove to be vital.

Tickets start at just £20 for adults, and can be bought in one of three ways:

Online at OUFCTickets.co.uk
By calling 01865 337533
By visiting the Kassam Stadium Ticket Office in person

Alternatively, if you are part of a group or organisation who are looking to back the U’s, you may be able to make fantastic savings by purchasing through the Group Tickets scheme. Full details can be found by clicking here

If you’re looking for that extra special matchday experience, then look no further than the club’s Restaurant Package hospitality. Sample a three course meal before taking your place in the South Stand Upper Premium seating, but act fast, as there is limited availability. Full details can be found by clicking here