Lincoln City 2-0 Oxford United: Match Stats & Views From The Forum

Views from Merthyr Imp following Saturday’s 2-0 win at home against Oxford United in League One: “Well, that was more like it! Nobody had a bad game, and it would be difficult to choose a man of the match. I thought Poole was quietly efficient throughout the game, and thankfully we saw the Eyoma at the end of last season when he had to move into the middle. With his quality strike, Scully showed what we have been missing, but otherwise, although he worked hard, a little criticism is that I can hardly ever remember him going past his man on the outside. Maguire also worked hard but obviously is not going to win the ball in the air up front. After creating both goals, Fiorini would have deserved a goal himself and all but scored.

I thought we defended well, but Oxford failed to make the most of the opportunities they did have, and throughout looked a bit sloppy. They did defend well early on (with the aid of a bit of luck) which made it surprising how they left Scully on his own to score the first goal. In the second half we weathered something of a storm from them to go further ahead slightly against the run of play, and the sending-off then more or less settled the result.”

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More views from our Match Thread:

simes69: “A great home performance reminiscent of the first half of last season. Whittaker reminded me of Johnson (No pressure there Morgan). I thought everyone played well, so a quick call out to McGr, TJ, and Lewis F, who have had some criticism in recent weeks. A lovely goal from Scully, boy we missed him! The only problem is the lads look like they need a week off before the next game, but it’s only two days away and at Sunderland. Oh, the other downside is the injury to Montsma. Best wishes for a speedy recovery…but I think we will need to loan in an experienced (late 20s) CB.”

Impish: “Very good on the ball in the offensive areas with the front three causing Oxford all sorts of problems. Still worry that we are too open in central midfield and of course, we have severe defensive issues with no real recognised CHs? I don’t class TJ as a central defender, not sure we can survive with two full-backs playing in central defence for long so maybe we will be forced to get some cover?”

imps_joe: “I’m sure I’m just echoing what everyone else has said, but that was a great performance and a much needed 3 points. First win and clean sheet combo in the league season!

There were lots of good performances and it was really encouraging to see those levels of application. If we can play like that for the rest of the season we will be comfortable.

Whittaker was everything I was hoping for and more, a really superb debut. From that performance, he looks a level above. Has that much-needed ability to take on a man and pick out a good pass. Rounded off with an excellent finish. He’s set the bar high!

Although it looks like Scully may be leaving this transfer window, I really hope we can hold on to him until the summer. He’s the exact type of player you need in the position were in at the moment. Not only can he score goals, he never stops working both offensively and defensively. His goal (after an excellent ball from Fiorini) was a thing of beauty. Trademark Scully, cut in on the left onto his right foot and curl one into the far corner. Because of his high work rate, it allows his fullback to get forward and today Bramall was really excellent. Combined, he and Scully ran the Oxford right back ragged. On the opposite flank, TJ had a good game and was solid when required to move centrally, hopefully, that will boost his confidence.

Griffiths had another excellent game and made big saves at key times. I was also happy to see how well he commanded his area to help relieve pressure for his defence.

The bad news was the injury to Montsma which didn’t look too good. We may need to get a new centre back to start! How unlucky are we with injuries!

Not to be too critical, because overall it was a superb performance, but it was frustrating at times in the first half when we were able to get in behind the Oxford defence on the wings and have no support in the middle. No one seemed to be busting to even get in the box! Secondly, they too often were able to run through our forward and midfield lines unopposed. Thankfully the defence were up to the challenge.

A great start to 2022. Onwards and upwards!”

Thank you to Graham Burrell and Lincoln City Football Club for the photograph!

Have a go at our Lincoln City versus Oxford United Quiz, published last season (they were all correct at the time they were published):

Lincoln City 2-0 Oxford United:

Match Stats & Views From The Forum:https://t.co/6JNDJ6CiDX#ImpsAsOne #OUFC

— Vital Lincoln City (@VitalLincoln) January 10, 2022

Lincoln City				Oxford United
Scully 40', Whittaker 56'
Griffiths				Eastwood
Eyoma				Long
Bramall				Seddon
Montsma			39'	McNally
Poole				Moore (c)
McGrandles (c)				Kane
Fiorini			88'	Sykes
Bishop				Brannagan			43'
Maguire				Taylor
Whittaker				Whyte			64'
Scully			88'	Williams			65'
Substitutes
Long (GK)				Stevens
Robson				Forde
Adelakun			88'	Holland			65'
Sanders			88'	McGuane			43'
Sørensen			39'	Bodin
				Henry			64'

Game Statistics
10	Goal attempts	14
4	On Target	3
4	Corners	2
15	Fouls	5
0	Yellow Cards	0
0	Red Cards	1
47	%	53