IT’S JUST BUR-FECT FOR CITY
ANDRE Burley’s firsthalf strike saw Oxford City complete the double over fellow National League South promotion partners Ebbsfleet United at the RAW Charging Stadium.
City controlled the game in the first half and took the lead when defender Burley was unmarked to slot past Mark Cousins.
But Ross Jenkins’ men had to soak up plenty of Fleet pressure in the second-half before ultimately hanging on to what could be a very important three points come the end of the season with both sides still ensconced in the National League’s bottom four.
“I thought we played really well in the first half” boss Jenkins said. “We controlled the game and played some really good stuff. We had to weather a storm in the second-half, but the boys dug in and the three points were massive.”
City gave notice of their positivity right from the very first kick with Josh Parker charging down a clearance straight from kick-off for the game’s first corner.
At the other end, Marcin Brzozowski, deputising in goal for Ebbsfleet loanee Chris Haigh, was having a quiet afternoon with the simplest of saves from Dom Poleon in the opening five minutes his only real action of the opening exchanges.
The Hoops grew into the half and had joy down the right with Aaron Williams-Bushell impressing on the wing and forcing a corners.
His first effort was headed back to him, but he made the second count – Burley timing his run to perfection to slot past Cousins and give the home side the lead.
The City defence were certainly the busier after the break with Fleet looking to find an elusive equaliser.
They were, however, mostly restricted to efforts from range with Craig Tanner and Darren McQueen both unable to keep their shots down.
Poleon then took advantage of a heavy touch from Canice Carroll and burst into the box before delivering a dangerous cross into the centre but a mix-up from its intended recipient allowd the defence to clear.
Williams-Bushell was then called to make an important goalline block on the line from Dominic Samuel’s header.
But as City were nearly home and dry, there was one more golden effort. Poleon was fouled on the edge of the area and Luke O’Neill’s effort left Brzozowski well beaten, only to come crashing off the crossbar.
The Hoops managed the five added minutes well and held the ball in the corner for periods, but there would be one final foray forwards for the away side through Poleon down the right, but his driven cross was well handled by Brzozowski.
Despite the crucial three points, Jenkins’ Hoops remain on the foot of the National League table on 27 points, three behind Dennis Kutrieb’s Ebbsfleet, who slipped back into the relegation zone on goal difference with this defeat. STAR MAN: Andre Burley (Oxford City) ATT: 1,171 ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★ REFEREE: Aaron Jackson