Oxford United 0 York City 0 (From Oxford Mail)
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Oxford United 0 York City 0
5:00pm Saturday 23rd February 2013 in Sport
By David Pritchard, Chief Sports Reporter covering Oxford United. Follow us on twitter: @oxfordmailoufc. Call me on 01865 425458
DEFENCES were on top as Oxford United were held to a goalless draw at home to York City.
The home side had the better of the game, but lacked the guile to take advantage.
Josh Parker came as close as anyone in yellow to breaking the deadlock, forcing York goalkeeper Michael Ingham into a superb save with a fierce drive.
The hosts pushed forward in search of a goal after the break, but clear opportunities became increasingly difficult to forge.
York, who arrived bottom of League Two's form table, were far happier with the result.
Their best chance also came before the break, when Matty Blair saw a close range header saved.
Alfie Potter and Michael Duberry returned to the squad but were named among the substitutes as U's boss Chris Wilder had the luxury of naming an unchanged side for the first time since August.
Parker was given another chance after deputising well for Potter at Plymouth last week and he was quickly in the action.
The winger found Sean Rigg in the fourth minute and his pull-back fell to Tom Craddock, whose shot was well blocked.
Adam Chapman curled a free-kick wide a minute later, before York got a grip on the game.
It was not until the 25th minute that either goalkeeper was stretched, when Ingham dived to his left to tip a fierce Parker drive around the post.
The kick-off was held up for five minutes after officials discovered the goal at the Oxford Mail Stand End was not level.
The problem was quickly rectified, but the work was hardly needed, as York barely threatened.
Apart from wild efforts from long range, they created just one opening before the break, although arguably it was the clearest chance either side created.
A lung-bursting run from Lanre Oyebanjo opened up the U's back four and when the cross came in Blair could only head straight at Luke McCormick.
It was a waste and the forward knew it, holding his head in his hands as York boss Gary Mills did the same on the touchline.
United finished the half on top, with Craddock heading wide and Constable shooting over.
York started the second half well and Ashley Chambers had two efforts on goal.
Both missed the target, but his second, a curler from 20 yards, almost caught out McCormick as it dipped on to the roof of the net.
United brought on Potter and Deane Smalley for Craddock and Rigg in a bid to freshen the hosts up.
It had a limited impact, as Ingham was rarely troubled after the break.
The City goalkeeper did well to take a whipped cross from Parker under pressure, but was otherwise not really tested.
United had opportunities from which to create, including a host of corners, but they could not break City's stubborn resistance.
Unfortunately for the hosts their best opening of the closing stages fell to Michael Raynes. Potter teed him up well on the edge of the box, but the defender's volley lacked power and was easily caught by Ingham.
It was the final good opportunity, as United were forced to settle with a point.
Oxford Utd (4-4-2): McCormick, Batt, Raynes, Wright, Davis, Parker, Chapman, Montrose, Rigg (Smalley 65) Constable, Craddock (Potter 54).
Unused subs: Crocombe, O'Brien, Duberry, Heslop, Whing.
York (4-5-1): Ingham, Parslow, Smith, O'Connell, Oyebanjo, Kerr, Rodman, McGrath, Blair, Walker (Rankine 90), Chambers (Bullock 81).
Unused subs: Musselwhite, McDaid, Potts, McLaughlin, Allan.
Attendance: 5,808 (319 visitors).
Referee: Tony Harrington.
Comments are closed on this article.

Comments (34)
7:18pm Sat 23 Feb 13
senior supporter says...
7:33pm Sat 23 Feb 13
foxvox says...
7:46pm Sat 23 Feb 13
karatavuk says...
Good riddance. Do us a favour Chrissy and go away now. We know you are only here for the pay cheque. The players know it too.
You might get a job at Banbury United or North Leigh. Go for it!
8:15pm Sat 23 Feb 13
oldun says...
8:15pm Sat 23 Feb 13
oldun says...
11:42pm Sat 23 Feb 13
dorsetbob says...
2:28am Sun 24 Feb 13
Doctor69 says...
All the good work wilder has done is rapidly being forgotten. Personally I can't wait to see him go. We need to start calling for his head at games now. Wilder out wilder out.....
4:15am Sun 24 Feb 13
BigCrompy says...
6:36am Sun 24 Feb 13
oldun says...
7:52am Sun 24 Feb 13
BigCrompy says...
Well I'm two of those.
13 stone is about right, and as for my height, let's just say you're within about two feet.
Blind optimism is terribly cute, but this season is a write off. Far too many teams above us deserve it more. I'm all for backing our team to the hilt, but this team is more reminiscent of 79-80 (rubbish) than 82-83 (bubbling under).
Time for a rethink and a fresh start next time. Surely you'd concur that 0-0 at home to York after home reverses to Rovers and Fleetwood REALLY isn't good enough?
9:15am Sun 24 Feb 13
BigAlBiker says...
The man who gets these donkeys in and his team should go, they have done well at conference level but he can't cut it here.
Pathetic is what I would call yesterday's game.
9:22am Sun 24 Feb 13
Isawyoucoming says...
9:49am Sun 24 Feb 13
A Scroat says...
9:59am Sun 24 Feb 13
oldun says...
It can be done - if fact both can be done - United going up (COYY) and you losing the necessary 2 plus stones - that excess weight is no good for you. Get that waist down to 31 ins- your health is much more important to you than is United's!
11:39am Sun 24 Feb 13
Joe1 says...
Our best hope is mid table with this team & management/ownership
.
11:59am Sun 24 Feb 13
oldun says...
1:27pm Sun 24 Feb 13
moonlight shadow says...
Problem is if CW was sacked either now or at the end of the season we need to appoint someone who will do much better, presumably under the same owner.
Who would be available to take the manager's job right now? Would they be capable of doing a better job than CW?
Somehow I doubt it. You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.
End of the season CW must go and a fair few players too. Then IL should appoint a manager who can bring in better players and have better tactical awairness.
I also think youth development needs enhancing.
We have produced some very good players in the past who have moved on to higher things. Dean Whitehead, Chrissie Hackett, Dexter Blackstock to name just 3.
And, of course Joey Beachamp was home grown.
As a club with owners not prepared to put their hand in their pocket to the required level the only way is youth longer term.
We have done it before with the above, lets set up the conditions to do it again.
Investing in a first class youth system is a sound investment for the future of our club
2:36pm Sun 24 Feb 13
oldun says...
4:07pm Sun 24 Feb 13
bigchet says...
4:19pm Sun 24 Feb 13
oldun says...
6:00pm Sun 24 Feb 13
greengarden says...
7:22pm Sun 24 Feb 13
karatavuk says...
8:24pm Sun 24 Feb 13
bigchet says...
9:03pm Sun 24 Feb 13
oldun says...
9:40pm Sun 24 Feb 13
baldicop says...
10:09pm Sun 24 Feb 13
oldun says...
10:15pm Sun 24 Feb 13
darkskies says...
Only joking....
COYY
6:27am Mon 25 Feb 13
Megastar07 says...
8:05am Mon 25 Feb 13
35 year fan says...
10:12am Mon 25 Feb 13
darkskies says...
And Billy Hamilton
Is Johnny Aldridge still playing
Im still dreaming of glory days yet to come when Wilder and Lenagan are long gone...
COYY
10:28am Mon 25 Feb 13
oldun says...
10:59am Mon 25 Feb 13
darkskies says...
Ha ha...
11:37am Mon 25 Feb 13
CRSDC says...
6:33pm Mon 25 Feb 13
oxcidental says...