Oxfordshire Senior Cup Match Report: Oxford City 2-1 Oxford United

Tom Mallams • Apr 26, 2022

Oxford City secured the 2021/22 Oxfordshire Senior Cup with a 2-1 victory over a youthful Oxford United side after a thrilling ninety minutes at the Velocity Stadium.

Ross Jenkins made multiple changes to the side that faced Braintree Town on Saturday with Canice Carroll returning from injury to make the starting line up and Dan Matsuzaka returning to the squad. Former Hoops forward Gatlin O’Donkor also returned to the Velocity Stadium but to play in his parent club’s colours.


The first whistle kickstarted an end-to-end half with many a chance for both the Oxford outfits. Josh Anifowose began proceedings by driving toward goal, but under pressure from the boys in blue, lashed his cross-goal shot wide of the mark.


City returned fire less than a minute later with George Harmon rifling two attempts at the U’s goal with his second-strike forcing a save from the toe of United’s keeper Fraser Barnsley.


It was not long before a piece of magic from Tyler Goodrham broke the deadlock in the 7th minute. A ricocheted ball fell kindly for the number 10 on the edge of the box, he expertly connected with the ball unleashing a rocket into the top left corner, giving Ben Dudzinski no chance in between the sticks.


However, in the game's end-to-end fashion, Joe Iaciofano levelled the tie up with a classic poacher’s goal.

City’s top scorer lost the U’s defenders in the box to receive a lay-up from Harmon and the striker turned and took aim towards goal. His first attempt was blocked by a superb slide from James Golding but as the ball rebounded onto Iaciofano’s right boot, he calmly placed the ball into the near post.


Soon after, Elliot Benyon leapt up above the U’s defenders to meet a looping ball from Lewis Coyle, but he could only watch as his header rattled the crossbar and away from danger.


In the 20th minute Goodrham almost had a second. It was like dejavu as another ricocheted ball fell kindly for the youngster, he lined up and struck a volley with the outside of his boot towards goal which curled away and skimmed the far post.


Charlie Rowan tried his luck in what could only be described as a James Rodriguez-esque attempt. The centre-back plucked a ball from the air with his chest to turn and swivel on the half turn and rocket a volley towards the U’s goal, but a diving save from Barnsley denied the potential wonderstrike.


City began to make their experience pay as they took control of the game for the final 15 minutes of the half. Benyon, Iaciofano and Coyle all found space in and around the box to fire at goal, but all attempts could not find the back of the net.


Halftime: Oxford United 1 – 1 Oxford City


The Hoops started the second half in the manner that they finished the first, strong and in control. Only a minute after the whistle, Iaciofano played Josh Ashby in on goal at the edge of the box to fire through a crowded penalty area. However, Barnsley got down quickly to his right (despite seeing it late) to palm the attempt wide.


On the hour mark, after a quiet spell of play, United mustered a few golden chances to take the lead and even had a goal ruled out. Adam Smith capitalised on a misplaced pass along City’s 18-yard line and had clear sight of goal with only Dudzinski to beat, yet he could only aim at the throat of City’s number 1 who calmly collected the effort.


Thirty seconds later, Gatlin O’Donkor thought he scored against his former side when his tap in bulged the net but was left in despair after the linesman quickly raised his flag for offside.


With twenty minutes left of normal time City took the lead through the lively Josh Ashby. Reece Fleet met Canice Carroll’s quick free kick on the left and cut a through ball back directly into the path of Ashby, who guided the ball into the bottom corner to take one step closer to the trophy.


The Hoops saw out the final minutes of the game to claim a hat-trick of Oxfordshire Senior Cup Championships in consecutive attempts. This piece of silverware only builds on the successive season after achieving a playoff position and the potential of their highest ever league position with two Vanarama National League South games remaining. 


Starting XI: Dudzinski, Asare, Harmon, Ashby, Rowan, Coyle (Potter 78’*), Fleet ©, Benyon, Iaciofano, Clark (Owusu 59’), Carroll, *(Cole DaSilva 84’)

Unused Subs: Matsuzaka, Bancroft


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