To mark Oxford United’s Milk Cup success 30 seasons ago, the Oxford Mail are delving into their archives to show how the run was reported round-by-round on the corresponding date this season.

United, in Division 1, got their campaign up and running in the second round against Division 4 side Northampton, who went into the second leg on October 8 after losing 2-1 at the Manor.

Northampton Town 0, Oxford United 2

(United win 4-1 on aggregate)

JOHN Aldridge is back in business! He booked Oxford United a place in tomorrow’s Milk Cup third round draw with both goals against stubborn Northampton, writes JOHN LEY.

After a lean start, Aldridge has suddenly found the form which brought him 34 goals last season.

Last night’s brace took his tally in League and cup to six – and four of those have come in a six day spell.

It took the golden boot of Aldridge to break the deadlock in an otherwise dour encounter at the windswept County Ground.

Northampton, a goal behind after the first leg, looked the more dangerous side in the first half, forcing no fewer than nine corners.

But Aldridge struck twice in three minutes midway through the second half to enable United to cruise home in comfort with a safe 4-1 aggregate victory.

In the first half United seldom looked like a First Division outfit against a side determined to put their bad recent run in Division 4 behind them.

To be fair, Northampton’s ground didn’t help. The club share it with Northamptonshire County Cricket Ground so the far side is exposed to the cricket pitch.

The main stand is currently out of use, meaning that support was confined to either end of the ground.

United’s central defensive partnership of Gary Briggs and Malcolm Shotton refused to be harried into mistakes by Northampton’s big strikers, and with Neil Slatter and Dave Langan composed in the full back positions, United weathered the early storm.

The midfield was seldom effective although most of United’s first half goal attempts came from Trevor Hebberd.

Steve Hardwick always appeared composed under pressure, and was called upon in only the second minute when he had to tip a dangerous curling corner from Adrian Mann over his bar.

Just before the interval Hardwick had to rush out of his area to kick clear from Mann’s feet and then the goalkeeper needed treatment on a knee injury after colliding with Benjamin.

Northampton continued to pressurise in the early part of the second half with Richard Hill and Phil Chard going close before they had a penalty appeal turned down when Hill tangled with Shotton in the area, but referee Alan Seville waved play on.

That was the turning point for United. In the 61st minute they broke the deadlock when Slatter fed Aldridge. He played a one-two with Thomas and after his first effort hit the body of goalkeeper Peter Gleasure he got the rebound and rolled it home from close range.

Oxford Mail:

  • John Aldridge collects a rebound off Northampton goalkeeper Peter Gleasure as he moves in to shoot United's first goal

Northampton attacked from the restart and Warren Donald forced a good save out of Hardwick, who pushed his 30 yard drive onto the right post. United returned back up field, and within a minute were further ahead.

Slatter struck a tremendous 20 yard shot which Gleasure could only parry to his left, allowing Aldridge the easy task of finishing off from a few yards.

Aldridge missed out on his hat-trick when he headed wide.

United, who had started nervously, finished at a canter, for their first away win of the 1985-86 season – thanks yet again to that man Aldridge.

Oxford United: Hardwick, Langan, Slatter, Phillips, Briggs, Shotton, Houghton, Aldridge, Thomas, Hebberd, Brock. Sub: Charles.

Referee: A Sevill (Birmingham).

Att: 5,076.

Oxford Mail:

  • The Oxford Mail on October 9, 1985

OXFORD United manager Maurice Evans breathed a sigh of relief after last night’s victory.

“We didn’t play that well until the second goal went in,” he admitted.

“But once John added the second goal we created two or three good chances.

“Northampton didn’t play as well as they did in the first game.”

Now Evans is looking forward to tomorrow’s draw.

“I’ll settle for anybody in the third round – as long as it’s at home.”