EFL Sky Bet League One
Tuesday 20 October 2026
Kassam Stadium, Oxford
Oxford United… 2
(Helik 44’, Andrews 76’)
Wigan Athletic… 1
(Saydee 69’)
Kai Andrews scored his first goal for the Club to secure an important 2–1 victory for Oxford United at home to Wigan Athletic.
A first-half strike from Michal Helik gave United the lead, but seven dramatic minutes in the second half saw Wigan equalise, have a player sent off, and then concede the winner to Andrews.
The first of three consecutive home games, the victory secured three crucial points ahead of another big test at the Kassam Stadium on Saturday against Bradford City.
After just two minutes, Mark Harris had a great chance to score his fifth goal of the season as United looked to make a flying start. Played through the channel between Wigan’s right-back and right centre-back, Harris got through on goal and squeezed a shot on target from a tight angle, only for the goalkeeper to keep it out.
United continued to pile on the pressure, with the Wigan box under siege during the opening 10 minutes. However, the visitors put bodies on the line to prevent crosses and shots from reaching their goal.
The momentum remained with United throughout the first half as they continued to pepper the Wigan goal. Cameron Brannagan lashed a free-kick over the bar on 32 minutes, before Harris spun and fired a shot from inside the box three minutes later, only for his effort to be blocked.
With just a minute remaining before half-time, United finally made the breakthrough. A short-corner routine saw Tyler Goodrham whip a cross into the box, finding Helik. The Polish defender’s first-time effort was parried straight back into his path by the goalkeeper, and he finished clinically, burying the ball into the bottom-left corner for his first goal of the season.
It was a deserved half-time lead for United, who returned for the second half looking to put the game beyond reach.
Both Jack Currie and Siriki Dembele went close to doubling United’s advantage within five minutes of the restart. Dembele came particularly close, curling a 20-yard strike narrowly wide of the top-right corner.
Aidomo Emakhu made a welcome return to the pitch just after the hour mark, replacing Goodrham. Two minutes later, the Irish winger was sent through on goal but failed to convert from a promising position, dragging his effort wide.
United were made to pay for the missed opportunity three minutes later when Wigan drew level. Christian Saydee both created and finished the move, spinning past the Oxford midfield before unleashing a 25-yard strike that bounced into the bottom-right corner, beyond Jamie Cumming.
The game burst into life, and just three minutes later Wigan were reduced to 10 men. Fraser Murray lunged into a challenge on Currie near the halfway line, and the referee deemed it dangerous play, showing the midfielder a straight red card.
United immediately sensed an opportunity to regain the lead and came agonisingly close just two minutes later. Brannagan’s effort from the edge of the box was saved by Joe Whitworth and fell into Harris’s path, but somehow the rebound failed to cross the line amid a goalmouth scramble.
The breakthrough finally arrived on 76 minutes, courtesy of Andrews, who netted his first goal for the Club. Dembele received the ball on the right side of the box and showed excellent vision to pick out Andrews in a better position. The midfielder’s first touch was superb, and his second was even better as he powered the ball into the bottom-right corner to restore United’s lead.
With 10 minutes remaining, Ramsey’s side created chance after chance as they looked to put the game to bed. Emakhu was at the heart of the action, using his pace and power to create two or three big opportunities, but a third goal proved elusive.
Overall, it was a positive performance and an important result back at the Kassam Stadium, with United securing another valuable three points.
With Bradford City visiting on Saturday, the focus now turns to maintaining that momentum and making the most of a crucial run of home fixtures.
Oxford United: Cumming, Brown, Andrews, Helik, Brannagan, Harris, Goodrham (Emakhu 64’), Spencer, Dembele (Sibley 82’), Currie, Missanga (Lynch 64’)
Subs: Eastwood, Long, Leigh, Snowden
Attendance: 8,605 (228 away)
50/50: 135518
