Oxford United season review 2020/21 - March to May

The U’s had played every Tuesday and Saturday since January 19, but they still had 17 matches left at the start of March.

Read also: Part two of our season review

MARCH

The U’s were already missing James Henry and Sam Winnall for the visit of leaders Peterborough United, with Elliot Lee and Sam Long also forced off with injuries during a battling 0-0 draw.

But football came second to the news that broke hours before the 0-0 draw with Charlton Athletic.

Micky Lewis was adored by fans, players and colleagues during his 27-year association with the club, which included 351 appearances and two spells as caretaker manager.

That showed in the outpouring of emotion following his death from lung cancer, aged just 56.

The Charlton game was almost an afterthought, but it did include Jack Stevens’ brilliant last-minute penalty save from Ronnie Schwartz that secured a very important point.

He performed more heroics at Swindon Town three days later, stopping Brett Pitman’s spot-kick in a 2-1 win that also included a memorable goal from a revitalised Dan Agyei.

Jack Stevens saves a penalty for the second game running at Swindon Town Picture: Ric Mellis

A 2-0 defeat at Hull City was followed by a 3-0 victory over Doncaster Rovers, when Matty Taylor ended a 14-match goal drought with a brace during an excellent first half.

United were back within two points of the play-offs and the excitement grew when it emerged their Indonesian investors had offered to buy the majority stake in the club.

The group said they wanted to conclude the deal ‘in the coming weeks’, but that is yet to happen.

An anti-climactic 2-0 home defeat to Blackpool brought United back down to earth, while a depressing 1-0 loss at struggling Northampton Town at least included a contender for Karl Robinson’s most memorable line of the campaign.

Frustrated at United letting their opponents press them, the head coach said: “If you’re going into the lions’ den, don’t put meat in your pocket.”

The U’s split the final ten matches into five-game blocks and they started well, claiming their first home league win in front of the Sky cameras by seeing off Lincoln City 2-1.

After nine weeks of playing every Saturday and Tuesday, United had six days before their Good Friday trip to Sunderland – it was a game to remember, for the wrong reasons.

APRIL

Players and staff clashed in the Stadium of Light tunnel at half-time, with Robinson claiming Stevens had been head-butted.

Mark Sykes was sent off with the game level at 1-1, before the U’s boss was dismissed by referee Trevor Kettle after protesting Sunderland’s controversial second goal.

Karl Robinson turns away after Trevor Kettle sends him off at Sunderland Picture: Darrell Fisher

Black Cats captain Max Power celebrated the hosts’ third in front of the United bench and there were more flare-ups after the final whistle, with Robinson seething during his post-match interview.

It also damaged the U’s play-off bid, which seemed all-but over when they lost 2-1 at home to Accrington Stanley three days later.

One positive was Long’s return and the right back was straight to the point at full-time.

He said: “We need to go into every game like a cup final and try to get three points every week.”

They started in stunning fashion, scoring five goals in 15 minutes on the way to a 6-0 win at Crewe Alexandra – equalling their record Football League away victory.

Elliott Moore scores Oxford United's third goal at Crewe Alexandra to all-but wrap the game up before half-time Picture: Darrell Fisher

United beat Shrewsbury Town 4-1 three days later and suddenly the U’s were seventh, although their rivals still had games in hand.

Then came the visit of Gillingham.

United were 2-0 down with 18 minutes left, before the two Sams – Winnall and Long – hauled them back on level terms.

The U’s would have taken a draw, but the right back ghosted in at the back post in stoppage-time to claim a shock victory.

Sam Long scores the winner to complete Oxford United's comeback against Gillingham Picture: Ric Mellis

United were finally in the top six, but 72 hours later they were out of it as a mad two minutes saw them lose 2-1 at AFC Wimbledon.

They bounced back to beat Plymouth Argyle 3-1 at the Kassam Stadium, before showing their powers of recovery again.

MAY

Dan Agyei was a fitting hero as he scored a late winner in the U’s third straight 3-2 win at Shrewsbury Town.

Dan Agyei celebrates with Josh Ruffels after scoring Oxford United's late winner at Shrewsbury Town Picture: Darrell Fisher

It meant United went into the final day of the season seventh, a point behind Portsmouth and only above Charlton on goal difference.

They received a boost in the build-up when Marcus McGuane joined on a permanent deal, but attention returned to Burton Albion’s visit.

Like Portsmouth’s game against Accrington Stanley it was a banana skin, but the U’s did not slip up.

While Pompey slumped to a 1-0 defeat, United hit the Brewers for four and the final whistle at Fratton Park sparked huge celebrations on the Kassam Stadium pitch.

United players and staff celebrate making it into the play-offs after the 4-0 win against Burton Albion Picture: Ric Mellis

The only downside was a hamstring injury to Sam Long, ruling the right back out of the play-offs.

Looser Covid restrictions meant the U’s could be watched by fans at least one more time in 2020/21 and 3,224 were allowed in for the first leg against Blackpool.

They gave their heroes a noisy welcome, but from the point The Tangerines scored twice in four first-half minutes the tie was always in their favour.

Blackpool’s 3-0 win made them odds-on favourites, but Robinson was typically upbeat.

He said: “Mountains are there to be climbed, not to look at.”

Matty Taylor’s opener took United to base camp, but once again they conceded twice in quick succession and eventually drew 3-3.

To reach the play-offs was impressive after United’s poor start, but their three goals at Bloomfield Road made the first leg more frustrating.

The main thing now, though, is that they enjoy the rest and make it third time lucky next season.