Vics fail to repeat stunning goal highlight

Nov 12 2007 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

VICS’ interest in the FA Cup ended at the Kassam Stadium when Dino Maamria’s team again looked desperately short of firepower.

With eight men on the injured list, out-of- form Oxford, with new manager Darren Patterson in charge, were vulnerable, but Northwich were unable to take advantage and their only consolation was to score a stunning goal.

This came in 39 minutes from winger Danny Williams after Luke Horrocks had beaten Matt Day on the left and crossed low into the danger area.

Vics had been caught napping after seven minutes when Phil Trainer crossed high from the right and Alex Jeannin lost marker Richard Battersby to score with a comfortable header.

Oxford went 2-1 up when they were awarded a penalty on 44 minutes. Lively striker Yemi Odubade raced past defender Dominic Taylor and when he tried to whip the ball back across the defender, the Bury loanee brought him down. Odubade scored from the spot.

Had Vics been able to raise their game in the second-half they might well have levelled. But experienced striker Lee Steele was never in evidence, nor were substitutes Paul Tait and Kevin Townson able to add firepower.

Oxford eventually clinched their passage into round two when Alex Fisher crossed invitingly for Eddie Ancelet to run the ball home in 86 minutes.

Vics’ best individual performances came from full-backs Richard Battersby and Ryan Brown, while Simon Rusk foraged hard in midfield, but the attack was woeful.

OXFORD: Turley; Foster, Quinn, Collins; Day, Pettifer, Trainer, Bailey, Jeannin (Anaclet 65); Odubade, St Aimie (Fisher 77). BOOKINGS: St Aimie, Day.

NORTHWICH: Tynan; Battersby (Tait 80), Taylor (Townson 68), Welch, Brown; D Williams (Maylett 72), Rusk, Wilson, Carr; Steele, Horrocks. Booked: Rusk, Carr.

REFEREE: C. Sargison (West Midlands).

ATT: 2,972.