Oxford United 0-2 Bristol Rovers (League Two)

Another 3 point haul saw Rovers climb further away from the relegation zone after an impressive 2-0 win away at Oxford United. The Kassam Stadium housed just under 2000 Gasheads and they were treated to another solid performance from their team. Second half goals from Lee Brown, a twice taken penalty, and Eliot Richards in stoppage time sealed the victory and made it another afternoon to remember for those of a blue and white persuasion.

Eliot Richards scoring Rovers' second in stoppage time

The atmosphere, in all areas of the ground except the away end, was incredibly lifeless and lacked the usual punch conjured up when the U's and Rovers go head to head. There is discontent amongst Oxford fans at the moment for a variety of reasons, including the dip in form they are experiencing at the moment, and that is likely to be a big reason why they generated no noise. It served to highlight the difference between our fanbase and theirs because even when rooted to the bottom of the league our support was still superb.

The game itself started brightly from a Rovers perspective and they could have gone ahead inside 2 minutes. A ball came in to the penalty box from the right wing and fell perfectly for Joe Anyinsah but the winger could only slide the ball in to the hands of home goalkeeper Luke McCormick. There was little goalmouth action aside from that encouraging early opportunity and it was a case of standing up to the long diagonal balls the Oxford back-line were spraying. Our improved defence dealt with it comfortably and Steve Mildenhall had little to do until much later in the first half. He did well to save an Alfie Potter effort and he also denied former Gas transfer target James Constable from close-range to keep the scores level heading in to the half-time break. Rovers were undeniably resolute but lacked the attacking edge they'd shown away from home previously against the likes of Fleetwood and Rotherham. Ryan Brunt was working tirelessly up front and needed a little more support in the lone striker role and John Ward was proactive in making that happen in the second half.

John-Joe O'Toole was playing in a more advanced central midfield role and along with Anyinsah, he was able to assist Brunt in retaining the ball in the final third. Danny Woodards was more conservative in his approach on the right wing but it ensured there was a good balance between attack and defence. We began a little livelier than we ended the first period and it didn't take long before we had the opportunity to break the deadlock. O'Toole played an inviting ball down the left of the penalty box for Brunt to run on to and the striker began to race defender Jake Wright to the ball. He got to the ball first before being sent flying by a mistimed challenge from Wright and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot. Brown stepped up to take the spot kick and duly sent McCormick the wrong way in his usual relaxed style. As he raced away to celebrate the referee blew his whistle to indicate there were Rovers players encroaching and that the penalty needed to be re-taken. It seemed an unnecessary decision and given the way Brown takes his penalties there was a general feeling that McCormick may not be deceived by the calm run-up for a second time. Those fears, however, were needless as the left-back produced a carbon copy of the original effort to put Rovers 1 up.

The noise at this point from the Rovers fans was superb and it must have inspired the players to dig in defensively because they absolutely needed to. Our hosts began to pile on the pressure in search of an equaliser but despite efforts from Lewis Montrose and a missed sitter from Constable, Mildenhall wasn't troubled. He was required to claim a few corners and he did so with ease but other than that he didn't need to make too many saves. There was one hearts in mouths moment when defender Harry Worley, sent up front in the final minutes, headed just inches wide of goal when left unmarked from a left wing cross but other than that the Rovers goal looked safe. In the final seconds when Ward was praying for the final whistle Brunt did wonderfully well to earn a free-kick inside the Oxford half to waste away the remainder of stoppage time. That didn't happen though. David Clarkson was given the ball to take the free-kick and he did so quickly and picked out the unmarked run of fellow substitute Eliot Richards who calmly approached goal and sent the ball through the legs of McCormick and in to the back of the net. 2-0, game over and another massive 3 points were ours. The team ran over and enjoyed the celebrations with Gasheads before finally returning to their positions to hear the sound of the final whistle. Oxford fans began to boo but the majority had already exited before Richards had scored and the ground was near enough empty. Rovers fans remained in place to salute their team off the pitch and to chant proudly as they saw their yellow counterparts depart the ground behind the end of the ground with no stand. It was once again fantastic to be a part of it and our football club is continuing to make Gasheads smile.

The rest of the league are certainly taking note now as we float around the top of the form guide and it sets us up nicely for a tricky game with Wycombe Wanderers tomorrow afternoon at the Mem. The infamous reverse fixture earlier this season is forgotten about and everyone is focussed on earning another 3 points. It'll be tough as Gareth Ainsworth's men have performed magnificently well recently but we should fear nobody with the way we are playing at the moment.

Continue to enjoy it, Gasheads!