Oxford United 0 Torquay United 0 (From Oxford Mail)
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Oxford United 0 Torquay United 0
5:31pm Saturday 10th November 2012 in Sport
By David Pritchard, Chief Sports Reporter covering Oxford United. Follow us on twitter: @oxfordmailoufc. Call me on 01865 425458
AN improved Oxford United were unable to punish a poor Torquay United side as a host of chances went begging in a goalless draw.
The majority of openings came in a dominant second half for the home side, when the Gulls had to defend desperately.
James Constable missed arguably the best chances at either end of the game.
Sean Rigg also had multiple efforts, while Andy Whing had one header cleared off the line late on.
The performance was significantly better than in midweek, but United will be disappointed to take just a single point from back-to-back home games.
Liam Davis came into the side at the expense of Tony Capaldi for his first start of the season as one of three changes to the U's side.
Johnny Mullins and Simon Heslop were also drafted in, with Michael Raynes and Adam Chapman dropping to the bench.
United were determined to make a better start than in Tuesday's 3-2 defeat to Dagenham & Redbridge and they had a great chance to open the scoring in only the second minute.
Tom Craddock slipped a ball into James Constable, but Martin Rice twice denied the striker.
United retained the ball and when a cross came in Sean Rigg headed straight at Torquay's stand-in goalkeeper.
The visitors, who had lost their last three away games in npower League Two, looked low on confidence and struggled to keep the ball.
As the half wore on the U's attacking threat diminished.
Their brightest moments all came down the left flank through Sean Rigg, while on the opposite wing Heslop was unable to make an impact.
At the other end United, with Mullins returning to the back four, looked untroubled.
Kevin Nicholson and Nathan Craig fired free-kicks just wide, but it took the Gulls 44 minutes to test United goalkeeper Ryan Clarke.
It came from Billy Bodin, who cut on to his left foot and let fly from 20 yards, forcing Clarke to turn the ball round the post.
Jon-Paul Pittman, on for Craddock at the break, nearly opened the scoring within three minutes of the restart.
The forward spun his marker superbly, only to lash the ball over the crossbar from just inside the box.
It was the catalyst for the game to improve markedly.
Ryan Jarvis had the ball in the net with a firm header on 53 minutes but the offside flag cut short Torquay's celebrations.
United responded with an incisive spell which brought the home fans to life.
Constable fizzed a shot narrowly over and Rigg twice fired just wide.
The winger's second chance was by far the clearer after Pittman had laid off Andy Whing's cross, but with the goal gaping Rigg missed the target.
With 20 minutes remaining Heslop and Pittman combined to set up Constable, whose shot was tipped over by Rice.
Constable should have broken the deadlock seven minutes from time. The striker turned brilliantly, but shot over the bar with his left foot from less than ten yards.
United poured forward in the final stages, battering Torquay's defence.
The referee waved away a penalty claim when James Constable was barged over, while Whing had a header cleared off the line by Craig Easton.
It was the final clear chance for United, who had to settle for only a point.
Oxford Utd (4-4-2): Clarke, Whing, Mullins, Wright, Davis, Heslop (Chapman 81), Cox, Leven, Rigg, Constable, Craddock (Pittman ht).
Unused subs: Brown, Raynes, Capaldi, Forster-Caskey, Marsh.
Torquay Utd (4-5-1): Rice, Oastler, Saah, Downes, Nicholson, Mansell, Lathrope (Yeoman 75), Easton, Craig, Bodin, Jarvis (N Thompson 68).
Unused subs: Leadbitter, Halpin, Cruise, MacKenzie, C Thompson.
Referee: Robert Madley.
Attendance: 5,773 (259 visitors).
Comments are closed on this article.

Comments (30)
7:30pm Sat 10 Nov 12
oldun says...
8:06pm Sat 10 Nov 12
northampton yellow says...
8:12pm Sat 10 Nov 12
oldun says...
9:11pm Sat 10 Nov 12
www.oxford.vitalfootball.co.uk says...
We are not miles off the pace so lets remain positive. We kept a clean sheet and created good chances. To be fair we were the team more likely to win the match today. I'm upset we are not higher up the table but lets see where we are in a few weeks.
9:12pm Sat 10 Nov 12
RADIOFAN says...
9:17pm Sat 10 Nov 12
oldun says...
11:58pm Sat 10 Nov 12
greengarden says...
It really is wake up and smell the coffee time, Mr Leneghan will NOT throw any more money at this project, don't you all understand the real reasons why Kelvin walked away and left or are you all blinkered??
I read all the postings with amazement eg Wilder out etc, maybe its right but the club is financially screwed, and this is best we can get. We all know what the club is paying Mr Kassam per annum from the lease? He would be more than happy to see the club default and redevelop the area.
I for one are right behind Mr Wilder because I know without him we will only attract second rate candidates.
I suggest questions directly to the board are far more appropriate as opposed to this constant Wilder out chant
5:48am Sun 11 Nov 12
oldun says...
8:31am Sun 11 Nov 12
Flipmode says...
8:31am Sun 11 Nov 12
Brenda Jackson says...
IF you 'Know the reasons' why KT walked away -spill them beans, and stop sniffing them!!
'' I know without him we will only attract second rate candidates'' Really? What makes you so certain? Bravado? B*llsh*t? 'Inside information? The onus is on the Owner/Chairman getting a successful team on the pitch- It's very much in his interest! Interesting you are keen to put responsibility on the Supporters, you're not one then i take it?! How do you think those who spend a significant chunk of their income supporting the Club will feel being told to expect second best? Or 'The 12th man fund' Or, those who organise events such as 'Ultimate supporters day'?? Is mediocrity their only hope? If so, the Owner should be very very concerned. I am.
9:16am Sun 11 Nov 12
A Scroat says...
9:49am Sun 11 Nov 12
winger whitley says...
9:51am Sun 11 Nov 12
jbowling says...
I don't know how old you are mate but please don't go through life accepting second best. Mediocrity is never acceptable.
10:40am Sun 11 Nov 12
Brenda Jackson says...
''Wilders whingers' They are his, are they? #
The 'blame' put on the manager is for the season so far, not just the last one or two matches- matches at home, that have yielded a magnificent ONE point out of a possible six btw!! And yesterday can only have added to the growing number of DWINDLING supporters fed up paying top dollar for third rate fare.
It's pretty evident that oufc are heading for a mid-table finish -at best this season. And the falling attendances will mean less in the pot for new recruits next season- the Chairman needs to consider this, and the consequences of.
11:02am Sun 11 Nov 12
winger whitley says...
11:10am Sun 11 Nov 12
RADIOFAN says...
12:23pm Sun 11 Nov 12
oldun says...
12:23pm Sun 11 Nov 12
oldun says...
12:40pm Sun 11 Nov 12
oldun says...
1:21pm Sun 11 Nov 12
winger whitley says...
1:46pm Sun 11 Nov 12
oldun says...
1:55pm Sun 11 Nov 12
oldun says...
2:05pm Sun 11 Nov 12
winger whitley says...
2:40pm Sun 11 Nov 12
oldun says...
9:04pm Sun 11 Nov 12
dorsetyellows says...
7:08am Mon 12 Nov 12
adlibber says...
Mid Term Mediocrity or Relegation Battle in what is a terrible terrible league. wear your badge with pride.
1:54pm Mon 12 Nov 12
Beau champ mummy says...
12:07pm Thu 15 Nov 12
goridebus says...
12:44pm Thu 15 Nov 12
oldun says...
12:48pm Thu 15 Nov 12
oldun says...