Oxford United secured a 1-0 victory over Stockport County at the Kassam Stadium on Tuesday night. Mark Harris scored the decisive goal just before half-time to extend the club's unbeaten home run. This result, a 1-0 win on Tuesday 27 October, is part of a strong recent run of three wins and two draws in their last five matches, leaving them unbeaten in that period.
Harris found the net in the 35th minute, converting a cross from Siriki Dembele for his fifth goal of the campaign. They are now six points behind leaders Huddersfield Town. The team's overall goal difference stands at a positive eight, having scored 18 goals and conceded 10 this season.
Manager Aaron Ramsey made four changes to the side that drew 0-0 with Bradford City last Saturday. Mark Harris, Luka Lynch, Peter Kioso and Louie Sibley all came into the starting eleven. "After a 0-0 draw in tough conditions on Saturday against Bradford City, Aaron Ramsey has made four changes," the manager said. That goalless draw on Saturday 24 October was preceded by a 2-1 home win over Wigan on Tuesday 20 October.
Goalkeeper Jamie Cumming made several important saves, including tipping a long-range effort from Stockport's Glover wide of the post. The visitors, who started the night in second place, made a double substitution at the break but could not find an equaliser. Oxford's defence, marshalled by Michal Helik and Stephan Negru, held firm under pressure.
Cameron Brannagan saw a powerful shot saved and Louie Sibley forced a stop from a free-kick. The only yellow card of the match went to Oxford's Jayden Currie for a foul on a Stockport attacker. A crowd of 9,606 watched the match, with referee Stephen Parkinson drawing jeers from the home supporters for several decisions.
The result means Oxford are unbeaten in their last five league games, a run that includes three wins and two draws. This sequence began with a 2-1 victory at Notts County on Saturday 10 October, following a 2-2 draw at Exeter City on Tuesday 6 October. Their next fixture is away to Barnsley, who are 23rd in the table, on Saturday 31 October. Harris, the team's top scorer this season with four league goals in 10 appearances, will be looking to add to his tally.
Background and full detail: oufc.co.uk
Oxford United's under-18s will host Hereford FC in the FA Youth Cup First Round Proper, the club confirmed on Wednesday. The tie at the Kassam Stadium must be played by Saturday 31st October. The youth side, coached by former Hereford attacker Pablo Haysham, sits 13th in the Youth Alliance South with nine points from seven games. This news follows the first team's 1-0 win over Stockport County, a result that leaves them third in League One, three points behind leaders Huddersfield Town.
Mark Harris has spoken about his early disallowed goal in the 1-0 win over Stockport County. The striker, who has five goals this season, was flagged offside after scoring in the opening seconds. Harris said, "I was still adamant it was onside." He explained the game plan was to exploit Stockport's high defensive line, which he did for the 35th-minute winner. The victory leaves Oxford third in League One, three points behind leaders Huddersfield Town. They face Barnsley away on Saturday 31 October.
Manager Aaron Ramsey praised his side's performance after the 1-0 win over Stockport County. He said, "It was a big display full of quality and determination." The victory lifts Oxford to third in League One with 22 points from 11 games. They are now three points behind leaders Huddersfield Town. The team next travels to face Barnsley on Saturday 31 October.
