Scorers: Oxford- Browne/Turton (29’) Henry (41’)
H.T: 2-0
K.O: 3.00 Saturday 15th December 2018
Attendance: 6003(294)
Referee: Matthew Donohue
Oxford manager: Karl Robinson
Stadium: Kassam Stadium
Form: WWD-LDW
Match Events:
In the first half Blackpool were against a harsh wind and were always going to struggle. Straight away, Jay Spearing had to replace the ball at kick off as the wind was just too strong. It was clear Oxford would have shots and their first came from a long range freekick that Brannagan would lift just over the crossbar.
Oxford would continue to dominate the play and quite literally had the wind in their sails. Browne would try to curl home 15 minutes in but, it was wide from distance.
Blackpool were certainly not benefiting through the conditions and couldn’t really have any sustained pressure. They had to try and catch the U’s on the counter and almost did. Bola was put through and crossed dangerously, but Delfouneso was not able to get contact in the middle.
But Oxford were down wind and all that was required was a slice of good fortune and they got it when Bola cleared directly to Henry. The cross was towards both Browne and Turton, either of which could have got the final touch, but Oxford had the lead and the conditions were beginning to tell.
The Seasiders would battle on though and almost find an instant route back into the match. Liam Feeney drove a shot low, under the wind, only to see it cannon back off the post 33 minutes in. A real let off for the U’s.
But just as Blackpool appeared to be moving towards a possible, albeit improbable, equaliser Oxford would hit Blackpool with an electrifying counter attack. They sliced straight through the middle of the Blackpool defence, amounting to a deadly Henry finish leaving Howard helpless. A goal that, in the 41st minute just before half time not only left Blackpool stunned, but with it all to do in the second half.
Blackpool bought on Gnanduillet at half time in an attempt to make a change. Oxford frustrated Blackpool well initially, pressing high and giving them no breathing space as Blackpool failed to get going. Blackpool were really hanging by a thread as a goalmouth scramble ensued 57 minutes in.
It wasn’t clicking at all for Blackpool and Oxford would continue to have chances in killing the game off. Howard did outstandingly in beating away a Mackie snap shot 70 minutes in.
Blackpool would have the chances to get back into the game though as first Pritchard would fire over after being fantastically picked out and Ben Heneghan would head wide an excellent opening.
Blackpool would fail to really do much after that and much credit must be given to Oxford in closing the game out in such harsh conditions.
Analysis and Stats: It was a game in which Blackpool had to play to the conditions and winning the toss was the first step in doing so. Having lost the toss and facing a horrible wind in the first half they had to simply prevent Oxford from breaking through. The fact that one goal was through a poor clearance and the other a hasty counter attack meant that both were avoidable had they approached that first half in the right frame of mind, but they were two down and had it all to do.
But this season you would normally see the Seasiders come back from this deficit, but not this time. You have to give much credit to Oxford who closed the game out so well and made for a really frustrating outing for the Pool.
Not only was it a pathetic attempt at a comeback, the Seasiders only had 5 shots and none on target. Despite all that pressure Blackpool had, in which they accumulated 6 corners over the course of the match, Blackpool were second best in the final third.
The question remains however, why were Blackpool so poor? Surely the absence of Curtis Tilt will have played a huge role. Blackpool were wide open when Oxford pressed them and looked unsure on the ball but, at the same time we have to look to the other end of the pitch. Dodoo and Delfouneso were both passengers throughout and it was only really Feeney that looked a threat. When Gnanduillet game on at least he threw himself about, but even he looked off sorts today.
Blackpool were just lacking that cutting edge today, but starting without Gnanduillet and lacking the security of Curtis Tilt were two massive blows.
McPhillips Reaction:
Teams:
Oxford: Eastwood, Dickie (Raglan), Nelson, Hanson, Brannagan, Browne, Ruffels, Mousinho, Whyte (Holmes), Henry, Mackie
Subs not used: Mitchell, Garbutt, Smith, Long, McMahon
Blackpool: Howard, Turton (Gnanduillet), Daniels, Heneghan, Bola, Spearing, Guy (Pritchard), Thompson, Delfouneso, Feeney, Dodoo (O'Sullivan)
Subs not used: Boney, O'Connor, Bunney, Taylor
Player Ratings:
Howard 6: Made a great save denying Mackie in the second half, but didn’t seem to anticipate the first goal.
Turton 6: Didn’t really perform after his display last week.
Daniels 7: Blackpool’s best defender making no mistakes and sweeping up when others did.
Heneghan 5: Seemed unsure without Tilt.
Bola 7: Caused plenty of problems with Feeney in the fist half, but quietened in the second.
Spearing 6: Spearing wasn’t quite his usual self, and this reflected throughout the team.
Guy 4: Second best on many occasion, but worked his socks off
Thompson 6: Looked dangerous but, never really found an opening.
Delfouneso 4: Really disappointing after forcing his way back into the 11.
Feeney 8: Blackpool’s best player by far, but teammates couldn’t aid his performance and neither did the post at 1-0.
Dodoo 4: Similar to Delfouneso, looked to be far from what he can usually do.
Subs:
Gnandullet 7: Really should be starting, but perhaps McPhillips is waiting for Solihull on Tuesday to avoid a ‘cupset’.
O’Sullivan 6: Good cross to find Pritchard (that was about it) but…
Pritchard 5: …Pritchard couldn’t convert Blackpool’s best chance in the second half.
Table:
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