SHEFFIELD WED 0
OXFORD UNITED 1
Long 79
Sam Long’s late headed winner against Sheffield Wednesday boosted Oxford United’s hopes of avoiding the drop to the delight of boss Gary Rowett.
The full-back’s 79th-minute goal was enough to secure a vital three points for the relegation-threatened U’s.
Protests from the Wednesday fans relating to Dejphon Chansiri’s running of the club took place as they watched their side suffer a third league defeat in five games.
However, for the visitors, it was a good day out as Rowett reflected on the performance afterwards.
Rowett: I have sympathy for Wednesday
He said: “This is a big result in a tough game for us.
“It felt like it was a game with a bit more pressure on it after losing to QPR.
“We know our away form hasn’t been good enough, so it’s great for us to get a win at this stage of the season.
“Wednesday started the game better, but we grew into the half without taking our opportunities.
“The game swung in both sides’ favour and it could’ve gone either way.
“I think with our positions in the table, it just felt like a win was a little bit more important to us than Sheffield Wednesday today.
“I have sympathy for Wednesday, it’s difficult for them with the situation they’ve been in off the pitch recently.
“I would’ve probably settled for a point, but I thought there was something there for us to get all three, which is why we rolled the dice with the substitutions in the second half.
“Who knows how many points will keep us up?
“I thought 50 points would be enough at Birmingham last season and it wasn’t.”
SUPER SAM: Sam Long savours his winner for the U’s
PICTURES: PSI/Ian Lyall
Match action
The first shot at goal came from the visitors, with former Owls man Will Vaulks hitting the target but keeper Pierce Charles made a good stop.
At the other end, Djeidi Gassama ran at the Oxford defence and struck a low driven shot at goal but Jamie Cumming got down well to save.
A number of Wednesday fans turned their back on the pitch and chanted for the chairman to sell in the tenth minute in protest at his running of the club.
Oxford went close to an opener when skipper Cameron Brannagan fired just wide, while Anthony Musaba had Wednesday’s best chance of the half when he met Yan Valery’s cross at the back post, but his volley went over the bar.
Musaba went close again when he skipped past several attempted challenges before pulling the trigger from 20 yards, but the ball curled wide of the far post.
Oxford had a sight of goal after a neat move.
Long made the run and found space on the right but his cutback was struck way over by Tom Bradshaw.
Charles was in action again as Tyler Goodrham hit a powerful strike from the edge of the box – the young keeper saved and Brannagan hit the rebound over the bar in the last chance of the half.
Sub Svante Ingelsson found himself in space the U’s box, but he blazed wildly over.
NET GAIN: Oxford’s Sam Long scores the only goal
Second half
Oxford dominated the rest of the second half with plenty of possession in the final third.
Ben Nelson got on the end of a cross from the right and Charles made a superb save at full stretch.
The visitors got the goal their pressure deserved with just over ten minutes remaining.
Vaulks’ long throw was flicked on at the near post and defender Long was there to nod in the vital winner.
Star Man – Sam Long (Oxford United)
READ MORE: QPR improve Championship survival prospects at Oxford United’s expense
Cardiff City
Omer Riza is proud of his Cardiff City troops
Championship
OLIVER’S SET FOR BIG STEP
