FA Cup 1st round
Saturday 10th November 2007
Oxford United 3 v 1 Vics

Vics got off to the worst possible start when,following the home side's first meaningful attack, a cross from the left found Battersby the wrong side of his opponent and JEANNIN took full advantage to score with a far post header.

Yet, to their credit, Vics went on to dominate much of the play. A slide rule pass from Rusk set Horrocks clear down the left channel and only the intervention of keeper Turley with a save that palmed his shot around the upright prevented the former Woodley youngster from levelling the scores. Turley again denied Vics by saving a Danny Williams volley at the foot of his post. But the pair refused to be denied and when Horrocks skipped down the left and delivered the perfect low cross DANNY WILLIAMS was on hand to smash a close range shot into an inviting goal. Carr moved forward menacingly to have a shot saved and all looked promising until, on the stroke of half time, a rash challenge from Taylor changed the face of the game.

The Bury youngster appeared to be under little threat from Yemi Odubade but chose to commit himself to an ill judged challege inside the box and although the Oxford striker made the most of the contact the referee had little choice but to award a penalty. ODUBADE picked himself up to convert the spot kick.

Vics continued to enjoy the greater possession but with ever decreasing conviction and quite frankly the second half was something of a non event. Lee Steele worked hard up front but with little effective support and despite adopting a more attacking tactic through several second half substitutions there remained a lack of real quality in the final quarter of the field that was eventually cruelly punished when Oxford sealed the tie with a third goal. Rusk carelessly lost possession in midfield allowing the home side to break and from a left wing cross ANACLET provided the perfect finish at the far post.

Team: 4-5-1
Tynan /
Battersby (Tait 80), Taylor (Townson 67), Welch, Brown /
D. Williams (Maylett 72), Rusk, Wilson, Carr, Horrocks /
Steele /
Subs not used: Connett & Jarrett
Referee: C. Sarginson
Attendance: 2,982 (Vics fans 282)