OXFORD UNITED 1
Dembele 82
WATFORD 0
Oxford United boss Gary Rowett felt it was Siriki Dembele’s time to score and was grateful the winger came up with the goods in a narrow win over Watford that eased his side’s relegation fears.
The winger claimed the decisive goal with a cool right-footed finish from ten yards out after referee Robert Madley played a good advantage when Mark Harris was fouled.
The 82nd-minute goal came just three minutes after Watford had James Abankwah sent off for a second yellow card when he fouled Przemy Placheta.
Rowett was adamant afterwards that he thought Dembele would grab the match-winner against Watford before their encounter against the Championship side.
Betting man
Rowett said: “I mentioned it to someone before the game.
“We did a little Q&A, and he asked me who would score the goal to win it today.
“I said that if I was a betting man – and I’m not a betting man, I’m not allowed to even if I was – Dembele might come up with the goods today.
“So I’m hoping he’s put a few quid on him – and hope he’s remembered me!
“I’ll go and find out.”
The result is a blow to the Hornets’ hopes of reaching the play-offs, but it was an afternoon when they just didn’t have their shooting boots on, firing a succession of efforts high or wide.
This left boss Tom Cleverley struggling to understand how his team had lost a game they dominated for long stretches.
Match action
In a largely scrappy encounter in windy conditions, there was plenty of endeavour on show from both sides but not a great deal of quality.
The game opened brightly with Watford’s Tom Ince having an early effort from 20 yards deflected over the bar, while United’s Polish winger Placheta fired wide from a similar distance after bursting past a defender.
The home side were quick into the tackle all over the pitch to make it difficult for the Hornets, although Giorgi Chakvetadze went close for them with a 25-yard free-kick.
Moussa Sissoko managed to run behind the home defence but keeper Jamie Cumming did enough to put him off his shot, and Tom Dele-Bashiru hit a fierce drive straight at the home ’keeper.
At the other end, U’s centre-half Nelson met Brannagan’s corner with a powerful header but directed it over the bar.
Play became increasingly broken up, and twice visiting keeper Egil Selvik made awkward clearances from back passes when put under pressure.
But Watford finished the first half strongly, with Cumming saving well from Francisco Sierralta’s header and Ince’s low shot.
Second half
Placeta created an opening at the start of the second half with a right-wing cross that Dembele controlled skilfully only to stab his shot wide from beyond the far post.
Edo Kayembe blazed over but he was not alone as his Hornets teammates also fired a succession of shots wide.
Watford brought on Vakoun Bayo midway through the second-half to try to get a breakthrough – but it was Dembele who found it at the other end.
Rowett added: “That was a very welcome three points.
“Watford were difficult to play against and there was a swirling wind, so it felt hard to settle on the ball.
“We never built any real momentum, but it showed we were competitive.”
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