Oxford City took another big step towards National League North survival with a 2-0 win against Chorley at the MGroup Stadium this afternoon.

Quick-fire goals from DJ Sturridge and Ewan Clark just before the hour mark deservedly earned City all three points in a game they were largely in control of,  building on their excellent away form with a home victory which should give them enormous confidence for what is to come.

In a first half of few chances The Hoops dominated the opening minutes where they fired in a variety of long range efforts at goal with the highlight a Josh Ashby free kick that flew over the wall and drew a decent save from keeper Matt Urwin down to his right. They then eased up a little, although home keeper Max Metcalfe’s only role for half an hour was to cast his vast shadow across his empty area in the glorious spring sunshine. There was one simple parry when Warren Clarke tried his luck after 38 minutes finally drew him into the action but that was Chorley's best spell of the game.

Satisfied with a scoreless first half, City then took complete control in the space of three whirlwind second half minutes.

The breakthrough came after 56 when the industrious Clark headed them into a crucial lead. It owed a lot to Sturridge whose pace and power got him to the deadball line to clip a superb cross to the back post. Clark ghosted in, six yards out and his header was past Urwin in a flash to make it 1-0

Three minutes later and it was 2-0 when Sturridge took things into his own hands. First he took the ball down well, then he moved neatly to create space and then he took aim from the edge of the box to angle the ball past the stranded Urwin. 2-0 and surely they think it’s Chorl over?

One of the features of recent games is the way that City have seen things out when leading. Earlier in the season things might have been nervy, today they never looked like giving the visitors a way back into the game.

A great result  at a key stage of the season. Things are still tight at the foot of the table but there is  hope. Come and get behind the team when we welcome Kidderminster Harriers next Saturday.

Can't wait.

CITY

Metcalfe, Wilson, Humphries, Harper-Bailey, Johnson, Ashby, Ellis, Clark (Bearne 68), Hemmings (Taylor 88), McEachran (Scott 60), Sturridge (Parker 79)

SUBS
Roddy, Wiggett, Burroughs

Att:  614

Report by Dave Pritchard, pictures Steve Daniels and Darrell Fisher