Oxford United will head into the international break on the back of a 2-1 loss to Watford at Vicarage Road.
United took the lead inside the first few minutes but were pegged back just before half-time through a Jeremy Ngakia double. Despite the second half pressure, the U’s couldn’t find the equaliser.
Gary Rowett made three changes to his Oxford side, starting Siriki Dembele, Greg Leigh and Stanley Mills, looking to repeat their last meeting with Watford which resulted in a 1-0 win for the Yellows.
Oxford settled into an early lead in the 3rd minute inside a windy Vicarage Road, with Brian De Keersmaeker’s corner kick eventually veering off Watford’s Max Alleyne for an own goal.
Just four minutes later, United had a great opportunity to make the score 2-0. Siriki Dembele gained possession through a tackle and set up Will Lankshear for a shot, which was well saved.
Watford pushed back into the game with a number of opportunities, but United continued to create chances with Cameron Brannagan’s free kick just sailing over the crossbar in the 39th minute.
However, Watford’s pressure paid off, equalising in the 45th minute, with a cross into the box coming off Oxford’s Greg Leigh and saved by Jamie Cumming, before being headed into the goal by Ngakia.
It got worse for Oxford, as Watford entered half-time in the lead, following Ngakia’s second goal. His in-swinging corner wasn’t dealt with by Cumming and the ball went straight in.
Oxford United began the second half with work to do, but Watford remained strong with three significant advances inside the opening 15 minutes.
Yet the U’s demonstrated a promising chance of equalising, as Nik Prelec and Przemyslaw Placheta forced Watford’s goalkeeper into some strong saves in the 65th minute.
In the 74th minute, Placheta had the biggest chance of the game, after De Keersmaecker’s defence splitting pass, but the Polish winger shot wide.
Oxford United continued to push into the extra time, yet failed to produce at the final moment.
Defeat on the road for Oxford, they head into the international break with a home game against Derby County up next.
Watford: Selvik, Alleyne, Keben, Abankwah, Wiley (Petris 70'), Vata (Kayembe 70'), Mendy, Ngakia, Louza (Sissoko 70'), Semedo (Kjerrumgaard 32'), Irankunda (Baah 87')
Subs Not Used: Kyprianou, Pollock, Baxter, Bola
Oxford United: Cumming, Spencer, Long, Helik, Leigh (Currie 73'), Brannagan, De Keersmaecker, Dembele (M. Harris 85'), Stan Mills (Placheta 57'), Prelec (Bradshaw 85'), Lankshear (Vaulks 57')
Subs Not Used: Ingram, L. Harris, Goodrham, Davies
By Gemma Rousell
