IN the first half of the 2010s, if Oxford United climbed the table at Christmas they would generally finish higher come the end of the season.
That pattern has faded in the last five years, but the festive period still threw up some significant results.
Here is how United have fared since 2015, featuring a horror tackle, a dire New Year’s Day defeat and a match-winning wonder goal.
2015/16
Position on Christmas Day: 3rd.
FESTIVE RESULTS
- December 26: Exeter City (H) 3-0.
- December 28: Yeovil Town (A) 0-0.
- January 2: Notts County (A) 4-2.
There was plenty of Christmas cheer at United in 2015, although Appleton’s men were not at their fluent best in a nervous first half against Exeter City on Boxing Day.
But 9,683 fans saw John Lundstram, George Baldock and Liam Sercombe strike after the break in a 3-0 victory, with a 0-0 draw at Yeovil Town following 48 hours later.
The U’s began 2016 at Notts County, where they headed into the closing stages with only Sercombe’s penalty to show for a dominant display.
But goals from Alex MacDonald, Callum O’Dowda and Kemar Roofe saw United start the year in style – and four months later they were celebrating promotion.
Position after festive results: 3rd (no change).
Where United finished: 2nd (+1).
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2016/17
Position on Christmas Day: 11th.
FESTIVE RESULTS
- December 26: Northampton Town (H) 0-1.
- December 31: Walsall (H) 0-0.
- January 2: Gillingham (A) 1-0.
United had stabilised after a slow start to their first season in the third tier since 2001 and were eight games unbeaten heading into Boxing Day.
A crowd of 11,790 packed into the Kassam Stadium for the clash with Northampton Town, but the visitors snatched victory through Marc Richards’ 94th-minute winner.
Chris Maguire shows his frustration as Northampton Town score a last-minute winner on Boxing Day 2016 Picture: David Fleming
A stalemate at home to Walsall followed on New Year’s Eve, before Chey Dunkley’s goal was enough to beat Gillingham two days later.
Despite an underwhelming festive period, United enjoyed a strong second half of the season to finish four points shy of the play-offs.
Position after festive results: 12th (-1).
Where United finished: 8th (+3).
2017/18
Position on Christmas Day: 10th.
FESTIVE RESULTS
- December 26: Gillingham (A) 1-1.
- December 30: Bradford City (A) 2-3.
- January 1: MK Dons (H) 3-1.
United had endured a festive stuffing at the hands of Wigan Athletic two days before Christmas, as Pep Clotet’s side fell to an embarrassing 7-0 defeat.
Confidence was low heading into Boxing Day, but Ricardinho looked to have secured a valuable victory at Gillingham – until the hosts struck three minutes from time.
United ended the year with a 3-2 defeat at Bradford City, Canice Carroll and Job Obika scoring.
The latter found the net alongside Wes Thomas and Gino van Kessel in the 3-1 win over MK Dons on New Year’s Day, a game also memorable for Ricardinho’s horror challenge that saw the Brazilian sent off.
A two-footed challenge from Ricardinho gets him sent off against MK Dons in 2018 Picture: David Fleming
It was a rare win in Clotet’s final few months at the club and the U’s, ending the season under Karl Robinson, only secured safety in April.
Position after festive results: 10th (no change).
Where United finished: 16th (-6).
2018/19
Position on Christmas Day: 18th.
FESTIVE RESULTS
- December 26: Southend United (H) 0-1.
- December 29: Bristol Rovers (H) 0-2.
- January 1: Plymouth Argyle (A) 0-3.
Results had picked up after an awful start to the campaign and United’s Christmas fixtures looked kind on paper – but football matches are not won on a sheet of A4.
Home losses to Southend United and Bristol Rovers were followed by a dire 3-0 reverse at Plymouth Argyle, leaving Robinson’s side back in the drop zone.
They did not turn it around until a dramatic 1-0 win over Bradford City in March, but a strong end to the season saw the U’s finish mid-table.
Position after festive results: 22nd (-4).
Where United finished: 12th (+6).
2019/20
Position on Christmas Day: 6th.
FESTIVE RESULTS
- December 26: Lincoln City (H) 1-0.
- December 29: AFC Wimbledon (A) 2-1.
- January 1: Doncaster Rovers (A) 0-1.
One year on, United were at the other end of the table ahead of three tricky-looking festive fixtures.
Shandon Baptiste’s stunner saw off Lincoln City on Boxing Day, before Mark Sykes scored the winner at Wimbledon to put the U’s second.
Shandon Baptiste, left, celebrates his goal against Lincoln City in 2019 Picture: David Fleming
A 1-0 New Year’s Day defeat at Doncaster Rovers saw United slip out of the top two, but a five-game winning run meant they were third when the season was halted in March.
Their fourth-place finish, decided on points per game, led to a play-off final defeat to Wycombe Wanderers, but who knows where the U’s would have finished if the campaign had not ended prematurely?
Position after festive results: 4th (+2).
Where United finished: 4th (+2).
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