PREVIEW Oxford United v Cambridge United

A full guide to Saturday's game at the Kassam Stadium

25 February 2022

Oxford United will pay tribute to Joey Beauchamp as they welcome Cambridge United to the Kassam Stadium on Saturday in Sky Bet League 1

Joey's death had overshadowed a week which saw the U's win away at Charlton and Crewe to leave them fourth in the table.

We ask fans to take their places inside the ground a little earlier than usual to join us in celebrating the life of one of Oxford's greatest ever players.

Joey was one of our own and the Academy will line the side of the pitch to join the minute's applause. The under 18s' game at AFC Wimbledon has been postponed tomorrow to allow the players to be present. Wreaths will be placed before the game and a very special display is planned for the Jim Smith Stand.

£1 from every ticket will be donated to MIND

You can join the hundreds of fans who have signed a Book of Condolences for Joey's family HERE

TEAM NEWS
United could be bolstered by the return of James Henry and Marcus Browne. Henry scored on his return in a friendly against QPR in midweek while Browne has trained all week and stands by for his first appearance since signing for the club permanently in January.

Both may need to be patient though with the U's having won their last two games with an unchanged side. Elliot Moore limped off during the win at Crewe and is a doubt but Ciaran Brown came on as a replacement and scored the winner in that game.

See Karl and Mark Sykes previewing the game in iFollow plus we have a special Preview Show in which former Oxford/Cambridge captain Paul Wanless gives us his best XI.

THE OPPOSITION
First Team Coach Barry Corr says his side face one of their “biggest challenges” of the season on Saturday

“They’re such a good side. I think Oxford away is probably one of the biggest challenges in the league,” the former Southend striker said. “It’s really exciting to go there and see how we get on. It’s definitely a really tough task, but one we’re really excited about. They’ve been such a good side in this division for a while now, with really good players and a really good manager. It’s exciting for us, and a really good challenge.

“They have really good players, and they make the pitch really big. It’s a really good challenge, and we’re always excited for these ones.”

The other U’s are in good form

“We’ve come in and we’re new to the league, and I think we’ve done well” Corr said. “I think if you told supporters that we would have 44 points at this stage, they’d be really pleased with us".

Left-back Harrison Dunk is expected to be available after injury

The Gaffer

The Programme

Women Welcome Wasps

TICKETS
With another big crowd 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.

The gate behind the Planet IT North Stand will not be in place so fans can move from one end of the ground to the other behind that stand

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 than 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

FIFTY/50

With another big crowd expected it will also mean a big prize for the Polythene UK half time draw, 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 4 Cambridge United 2

U's end emotional week with a win. Full time report

26 February 2022

Oxford United ended an emotional week with an important win as they gave former hero Joey Beuachamp the perfect send off.

After tributes and tears before kick-off, United had to twice come from behind after goals from Sam Smith, but suitable strikes from local boy Matty Taylor, Cameron Brannagan's 11th, and then 12th, of the season, plus a first home goal for Sam Baldock, who idolised Beauchamp from the Manor terraces, saw a sad day end with an ovation and smiles all round.

On a day for an actual Oxford hero, it was a former U’s forward who threatened to ruin the day when Smith toe-poked his first past the exposed Jack Stevens inside five minutes.

Undeterred, United played their way back into the game and the recalled Steve Seddon and Sam Long had half chances as Cambridge dropped back and built a wall for United to try and play through or go round. Baldock, making his first home start, showed a great touch on 32 minutes but dragged wide from the edge of the area but on 36 minutes United were level.

Fittingly it was Taylor, captain for the day as another tribute to a fellow local boy, who tucked it away as Ryan Williams’ right-wing cross was flicked on by Baldock and Taylor drifted in behind the static Cambridge backline to touch home his 19th of the season, poignantly pointing an 11 to the heavens to celebrate.

United then started the second half well and most of the game was being played in the Cambridge half, but on 55, with United on the prowl, the other U’s stole the ball and broke with speed and clever movement. United failed to stay with Smith, who once again bore down on Stevens and fired across him for a well-taken second goal: more league goals in an hour than he managed in half a season on loan at the Kassam Stadium.

Time for the home U's to step up, and when they need someone to do that this season they can always rely on Brannagan. Baldock was again the provider with a clever cut back after finding space behind the Cambridge defence. He rolled it across, Brannagan strode up and we were level at 2-2 thanks to the midfielder's 11th of the season.

Visiting keeper Dimitar Mitov kept his side level with an astounding save after 70 minutes as Taylor brought a long ball down and thumped a powerful effort at goal, but no matter because two minutes later United were ahead for the first time as Baldock, who watched Beauchamp from the Manor Ground terraces, timed his run expertly and slammed home Taylor's low cross for his first United goal. Two assists and a goal, an excellent start and the partnership with Taylor could yet power United to a higher level.

There was further encouragement as Marcus Browne came off the bench for a late cameo, mistiming a chance to mark his first game for 13 months with a goal, but his time will come and on 90 United were home and dry when Brannagan again timed his run and smashed home a fourth to make sure the day ended perfectly.

Take the tears away and today was just as important on the pitch as it was for the respects paid. A third win in a week, a growing gap to the chasing pack and a fourth crowd in a row of over 10,000 - never been done at the Kassam Stadium.

Go home, raise a glass and enjoy the moment. Cheers Joey.

Att: 10,004
Away: 646
Fifty/50 winning number: 22253 wins £1,131

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