US ARE A CLASS APART
OXFORD UNITED showed their class off the pitch – then, sadly for Merstham, showed even more class on it.
Handing over their five-figure gate receipt entitlement to boost the Ryman Premier club’s coffers further, that was where their generosity came to an end as the League One side brushed aside the club who were playing county football back in 2008.
Two second-half efforts from Kane Hemmings added to strikes from Alex MacDonald, Josh Ruffels and Tyler Roberts in front of a club record crowd of nearly 2,000.
Merstham manager Hayden Bird joked: “They gave us the gate and we gave them the goals! It was a lovely gesture by a wonderful club. In normal circumstance I would be very critical of the goals we conceded but I think the players are above criticism today. There were periods of the game they did very well and I’m glad other people agree with me that it wasn’t a 5-0 match.
“The game changer was the second goal just before half-time, but I’m still a proud man.”
Always key to a big upset is getting the basics right. Don’t concede needless early set pieces around your box is the obvious call but Xavier Vidal’s nudge on MacDonald inside 12 minutes was their undoing. The winger took the dead ball himself, a League standard free-kick unlocked the door early on.
What if Dan Bennett would have taken his close-range chance five minutes later? A quick break and the Step 3 club almost hit straight back but Ruffels’ powerful header when Marvin Johnson timed his delivery perfectly was a soul destroyer.
Merstham offered plenty and didn’t really struggle until the hour. Kane Hemmings expertly tucked away for United’s third and another wasn’t long in coming as Tyler Roberts connected well from a tight angle for 40. Hemmings tapped home a fifth just to prove Oxford weren’t all about charity.
United boss Michael Appleton said: “I told the players before the game to make sure they didn’t become a headline and thanks to a professional performance we didn’t really look like becoming one.”