Oxford United were held to a 1-1 draw by Cambridge United in a competitive League One encounter at the Kassam Stadium on Saturday. Siriki Dembele’s early opener was cancelled out by Ben Knight just before the hour mark, leaving both sides with a point.
The result means Oxford stay sixth in the table with 10 points from their opening five matches. They are three points behind early leaders Sheffield Wednesday. Cambridge United remain in 12th place with seven points.
Dembele gave the home side a perfect start, finishing from a Mark Harris pass in the 15th minute. It was the forward’s second goal in as many games, following his strike in the 3-0 win over Burton Albion the previous weekend. Oxford dominated possession throughout the first half, enjoying 66 percent of the ball, but could not extend their lead despite forcing three saves from Cambridge keeper Jack Eastwood. The best of those chances fell to Ruben Rodrigues, whose low drive was pushed wide.
Cambridge grew into the game after the break and found their equaliser in the 57th minute. Dominic Ball played a precise through ball to release Ben Knight, who finished smartly past Oxford goalkeeper James Beadle to level the scores. The visitors finished the match with 15 attempts on goal, though only two were on target. Oxford’s Beadle was also called into action to deny a late header from Cambridge substitute Fejiri Okenabirhie.
Oxford manager Des Buckingham made a flurry of substitutions in search of a winner, introducing Gatlin O Donkor, Luka Lynch and Tyler Goodrham shortly after the equaliser. The game became increasingly fractious, with Cambridge picking up five yellow cards to Oxford’s one. Cameron Brannagan was booked for dissent in first-half stoppage time, while Cambridge’s Michael Morrison, Liam Bennett, James Brophy, Jack Lankester and George Thomas all saw yellow.
Oxford’s recent form now reads three wins, one draw and one loss from their last five outings. They have scored 12 goals and conceded six so far this season. Cambridge United have now drawn three of their last four matches.
The U's now turn their attention to an away trip to face bottom-placed Doncaster Rovers next Saturday. That fixture is followed by a home game against Portsmouth, with the full schedule available on our fixtures page.
Head Coach Aaron Ramsey confirmed the club made one enforced change during the 1-1 draw with Cambridge United. Jamie McDonnell left the pitch through injury after just 10 minutes and was replaced by Louie Sibley, the club stated. Ramsey's side now have 13 goals scored and seven conceded this season. They remain sixth in League One with 11 points from six games, four points behind leaders Bradford. The U's next face Doncaster Rovers away on September 26.
Captain Cameron Brannagan said the 1-1 draw with Cambridge United "feels like a defeat in a weird way." The 30-year-old midfielder revealed the squad's frustration in the dressing room after failing to secure a win. He attributed the team's strong start, which sees them sixth with 11 points from six games, to the new coaching staff. Brannagan called head coach Aaron Ramsey and his assistants "a breath of fresh air" who have implemented an enjoyable style of play.
