PITCH BATTLE Boss Karl in stand-off with Donny sub
OXFORD UTD 3 DONCASTER 0
KARL ROBINSON’S ruthless Oxford floored Doncaster before he won a bizarre post-match pitchside battle with the Rovers substitutes.
Two goals from the impressive James Henry – either side of another by Cameron Brannagan – moved in-form Oxford to the fringe of the play-offs.
Robinson then stormed on to the playing surface and had an eyeballs- out blazing row with Rovers sub Joe Wright following an argument with groundstaff over where they could run during their warm-down.
Staff from both clubs rushed to intervene before Robinson said: “I always back my players and everyone at this club, including the groundsman. We are all in this together.”
Robinson was clearly pumped up by a convincing victory that leaves the U’s unbeaten in eight matches, with only one defeat in their last 12 in all competitions.
They are climbing the table in vibrant, free-flowing style, too, having scored 20 goals in their last six games.
Eight of those have come from ex-Wolves midfielder Henry, who is on a roll with seven goals in six games.
“I thought the result was emphatic and we have made a big statement because Doncaster are one of the best teams in this league,” added Robinson. “There’s a lot more to come because even though I sound harsh, we actually lost our shape in the second half and were quite poor.”
Doncaster were just as slick in possession for much of the first half but lacked Oxford’s decisiveness.
Even then, it took Robinson’s team until firsthalf injury time to finally go OXFORD UTD:
DONCASTER ROVERS:
MAN OF THE MATCH:
REFEREE: OXFORD DONCASTER 9 ........ Shots on Target ........ 0 9 ........Shots off Target .........4 6 ................Corners .................4 16 .................Fouls ..................14 0 ...............Offsides ..................1 82.3 . Passing Success ... 78.9 475 .......Total Passes ........ 478 49.6 .......Possession ........50.4 48.9 . Territorial Adv%..... 51.1 ahead when a rasping drive from Henry took a glance and flew past Seny Dieng.
Af t er the bre a k , Brannagan was set up by Chris Cadden – after sublime work by Tariqe Fosu – and fired in under keeper Dieng’s body to make it 2-0.
Rovers might have got back into the contest if Kwame Thomas had shown more determination to meet a cross by Reece James, but the chance was spurned.
That allowed Oxford to wrap it up with a third goal when Henry hammered home a penalty, awarded for handball against Donervon Daniels.
Rovers manager Darren Moore said: “Goals change games and they got their goals at crucial times.”