Wag

Saturday 1st April 2000
Glanford Park, Scunthorpe
Scunthorpe United vs Oxford United

After last weeks excellent derby win against Reading Oxford were looking to get their first away win under new manager Jamie Waggett and started with the same line-up as the previous game after Mark Watson recovered from a knock.

It was Oxford who started the brighter going close from a Derek Lilley header as early as the third minute after being found by James Lambert, the left winger was to have a tempestuous game and was booked with-in the first minute for a foul on Russell Wilcox. It was Lambert who was involved five minutes later though as he found Joey Beauchamp with a crisp through ball, Beauchamp raced onto the pass and looked to round Scunthorpe goalkeeper Steve Banks but was sent crashing to the ground by the stopper leaving the referee with no choice but to award a penalty and give Banks his marching orders for a professional foul. On came sub Barry Richardson for his debut but he could do little as Beauchamp picked himself up and blasted home the penalty for his sixth goal of the season.

Despite having just ten men it was Scunthorpe who had the next best chance almost drawing level after Gareth Sheldon broke through the defence but found Arendse in good form, the South African 'keeper producing a smart stop to keep the scores level. It didn't stay that way though and with thirty minutes on the clock Sheldon was again causing problems and when the referee adjudged Phil Whelan had pushed the striker in the box he awarded a penalty, from which John Cornforth strode up and slotted home his first goal for the homeside. From then on it was all Oxford with Beauchamp and Lilley being denied several times by Richardson as it finished 1-1 at the break.

The second half started with a bang, especially for Scunthorpe's Spanish midfielder Alex Calvo-Garcia as James Lambert took offence to something and kicked the playmaker to the ground. He recieved a straight red and a subsequent four match ban. It didn't seem to bother Oxford though as they switched to just one up from with Beauchamp reverting to a wide midfield role. It was the lone striker up front who struck Lilley seizing on a bouncing ball in the box to fire home his ninth goal of the season and make it 2-1 with 53 minutes on the clock. Scunthorpe layed seige to Oxford goal but everytime Andre Arendse managed to get something on the ball and keep it out, with time running out and Scunthorpe clearly tiring Nick Wright recieved the ball on the half way line and danced through a static midfield before being cruely brought down on the edge of the box. Joey Beauchamp stepped up and flighted the freekick over the wall and into the bottom corner of the net, it was a lovely goal and sealed Oxford's victory.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Scunthorpe United 1 (Cornforth pen 30)Oxford United3 (Beauchamp pen 8 & 90, Lilley 53)Attendance - 6, 699(4-3-3)Andre Arendse - Johnny Wright, Paul Powell (bk), Steve Davis, Phil Whelan (bk) - Mark Watson (Paul Hughes 72), Nick Wright, Peter Fear (c), James Lambert (s/o) - Joey Beauchamp, Derek LilleyUnused Subs - PÃ¥l Lundin (gk), Rubén DarÃ*o Acebal, Ben Abbey, Andy Ritchie</pre>

Wag

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Awards, Awards Awards
Wednesday 5th April 2000

The Players Player of the Year award was won by Liverpool's Michael Owen, his strike partner Robbie Fowler came second while third was Manchester United's Andy Cole.

The Players Young Player of the Year award went to Leeds United's Alan Smith, second was his team mate Harry Kewell whilst Everton's Michael Ball was voted third.

In other news Oxford United have confirmed reserve goalkeeper PÃ¥l Lundin will leave the club at the end of the season after the player and management came to a mutual agreement over the remainding two years of his contract. Swedish Lundin (35) has played six times for the club so far this season conceding seven goals in the process but has not featured under Jamie Waggett.

The club are in talks with several players with regards to joining come the summer, names mentioned so far have been Leicester City striker Tony Cottee, Motherwell's Don Goodman and former Arsenal midfielder John Jensen. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Wag

Saturday 8th April 2000
The Racecourse Ground, Wrexham
Wrexham vs Oxford United

Oxford United gave a full debut to Spanish defender Rubén DarÃ*o Acebal, in for the suspended Steve Davis as they looked to continue their good form of late under Jamie Waggett. From the off their intentions were obvious to keep possession and attack, it certainly paid off as after just five minutes they scored. Nick Wright brought the ball down neatly from a Mark Watson throwp-in before heading down the right wing, he cut inside his man as he made it to the penalty area and then unselfishly squared the ball to an unmarked Derek Lilley to hammer home his tenth of the season. Karl Connelly threatened to pull on back soon after but soon Wrexham found themselves two down. Paul Powell and Mark Watson combined to release Peter Fear inside the area and the Oxford captain savagely drove home a right footed shot that wouldn't have looked out of place at a higher level - Oxford were coasting and it showed as they scored again some 15 minutes later. The Spaniard Acebal skipping past two challenges before weighting a superb pass into the onrushing Joey Beauchamp. Beauchamp twisted and turned to loose his man before striking the ball hard and low past Kevin Dearden. The goal seemed to spark Wrexham into lise but Adrense was equal to efforts from Martin Chalk and Gareth Owen as Oxford went into the break 3-0 up.

Wrexham continued to press after the break and pulled one back with just two minutes of the half gone, experienced forward Kevin Russell shrugged off Nick Wright and fed David Lowe, the former Leicester man wasting no time in smashing a drive past Arendse from the left hand angle of the area, 3-1. Wrexham continued to pile forward but time and time again Arendse proved to good - stopping several efforts from Dean Spink as well as countless others from Lowe and sub Stephen Rishworth. The fact that Oxford didn't have a shot in the second half perhaps shows how dominant Wrexham were for the entire second period but they just couldn't beat Arendse and he was rightfully rewarded the man of the match award, perhaps sending out a note to manager Jamie Waggett that he shouldn't be thinking about a replacement just yet...

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Wrexham 1 (Lowe 47)Oxford United 3 (Lilley 5, Fear 16, Beauchamp 31)Attendance - 5, 295(4-3-3)Andre Arendse - Johnny Wright, Paul Powell (Paul Hughes 67), Rubén DarÃ*o Acebal, Phil Whelan (bk) - Mark Watson, Nick Wright, Peter Fear (c), James Lambert - Joey Beauchamp, Derek LilleyUnused Subs - PÃ¥l Lundin (gk), Les Robinson, Ben Abbey, Andy Ritchie</pre>

Wag

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Jensen will join!
Tuesday 11th April 2000

Former Danish International John Jensen will join Oxford United in the summer it was revealed today. Jensen (34) is currently a free agent after being sacked by his previous club Danish side Herfølge Boldklub (who he was player/manager of), he appeared twenty-one times in his final season for them scoring twice and is expected to take on a player/coaching role at the Manor Ground as Jamie Waggett looks to restructure the coaching staff. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Wag

Saturday 15th April 2000
The Manor Ground, Oxford
Oxford United vs Burnley

Oxford United gave Mark Graham a debut in place of the suspended James Lambert whilst Rubén DarÃ*o Acebal kept his place in the centre of defence alongside Phil Whelan. Paul Tait also came into the side for the first time under Jamie Waggett in place of Mark Watson as Waggett looked to next season. The match started slowly although Paul Cook had a header well saved by Arendse in the early stages. It was Oxford who went closest though Paul Tait seeing a shot parried to safety by Andy Paxton with twenty minutes on the clock. Ten minutes later the home side were in front, Acebal found Peter Fear and the central midfielder strode forward before unleashing a dipping shot from just outside the area that swerved away from Paxton and found the back of the net with some aplomb. Lilley almost increased the lead with Oxford's very next attack but they didn't have to wait long as on the stroke of half time Mark Graham plowed down the left wing before teeing up Beauchamp. The forward took a touch and somehow managed to squeeze the ball past Paxton at his near post, 2-0.

Oxford started the second half like they'd finished the first...with a goal. Paul Powell stroked a forty yard pass onto the head of Derek Lilley and the Scottish striker lept magnificently to lob the ball over Paxton to make it 3-0. It was really all Oxford Acebal went close with a long range volley before they increased there lead in the fifty-forth minute, Peter Fear gathering up a loose ball inside the Burnley half and advancing to the edge of the area before drilling a low shot past Paxton to make it 4-0. It seemed to stem Burnley into an attack as Mellon went close before they did eventually pull one back with fourteen minutes to go. Andy Paxton fed Ronnie Jepson in the area but somehow Phil Whelan managed to get back but sadly could only turn the ball past Arendse for a comical own goal instead of diverting it around the post. It finished 4-1.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Oxford United4 (Fear 29 & 54, Beauchamp 45, Lilley 47)Burnley1 (Whelan og 76)Attendance - 7, 298(4-3-3)Andre Arendse - Johnny Wright, Paul Powell, Rubén DarÃ*o Acebal (bk), Phil Whelan - Paul Tait (Paul Hughes 56), Nick Wright, Peter Fear (c), Mark Graham - Joey Beauchamp, Derek LilleyUnused Subs - PÃ¥l Lundin (gk), Mark Watson, Kevin Francis, Andy Ritchie</pre>

Wag

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Acebal Injured
Monday 17th April 2000

Oxford United, currently 11th place in the Second Division will have to do without Spanish defender Rubén DarÃ*o Acebal the next three games after he suffered a damaged shoulder in training. Acebal had been a revelation since gaining a starting berth in the last two games impressing not only Oxford fans but the Press and away fans alike.

In other news the club confirmed the signing of Leicester City striker Tony Cottee on a pre-contract agreement. Cottee (34) has scored five goals for Leicester this season in twenty-one games and has scored over two hundred goals in his career. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Wag

Saturday 22nd April 2000
The Manor Ground, Oxford
Oxford United vs Gillingham

Defender Steve Davis returned to the side in place of the injured Rubén DarÃ*o Acebal as Oxford looked to continue there resurgence against play-off hopefuls Gillingham. Oxford troubled Gill's 'keeper Jim Stannard time after time in the opening ten minutes going closest through a Derek Lilley volley before they did take the lead. Right back Johnny Wright came forward before finding Lilley on the edge of the box who inturn found Joey Beauchamp. Beauchamp lost his man before half volleying the ball home for his tenth goal of the season. On thirty-six minutes they doubled the lead. Lilley collecting a Patterson header playing a one-two with Peter Fear before curling the ball with the outside of his right foot past Stannard for a superb goal, 2-0 and that's how it stayed as the game drifted towards half time.

Sadly for Oxford defender Phil Whelan had to replaced by Mark Watson just after half time, the 27 year old picking up a thigh strain and failing to run it off but he wasn't missed as Oxford again attacked Gillingham relentlessly. Lilley had gone close with a long-range effort before they made it three, from the penalty spot Adie Pennock was all over Derek Lilley like a cheap **** and when Lilley went down the referee had no hestitation but to award the spot-kick. Beauchamp stepped up and crashed the ball home, 3-0. From then on as it had been for most of the match it was all Oxford and with just three minutes of normal time remaining Lilley drove home a low first time right footed shot that left Stannard with no chance and saw the Scot claim his 13 goal of the season.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Oxford United4 (Beauchamp 13, pen 59 and Lilley 36, 87) Gillingham0 Attendance - 8, 083(4-3-3)Andre Arendse - Johnny Wright, Paul Powell, Steve Davis, Phil Whelean (Mark Watson 53) - Paul Tait, Nick Wright, Peter Fear (c), Mark Graham - Joey Beauchamp, Derek Lilley (bk) Unused Subs - PÃ¥l Lundin (gk), Paul Hughes, Kevin Francis, Andy Ritchie</pre>

Wag

Monday 24th April 2000
The Manor Ground, Oxford
Oxford United vs Blackpool

Oxford went into the game with slim hopes of sneaking a Playoff place and knew that only a win would do if they were to keep their dream alive. Missing for Oxford was defender Phil Whelan who didn't recover from his thigh strain whilst the rest of the side was unchanged. The home side came out of the blocks fast and within the opening ten minutes had already test Blackpool goalkeeper Adam Rachel as Paul Powell and Derek Lilley both went close although it wasn't all one way traffic and Andre Arendse had to be alert to save a Jason Blunt header. It was soon apparent that it was only a matter of time before Oxford scored though as Powell and Fear both went close before in the 33rd minute Powell again was involved. Crossing from the left for Derek Lilley to fire home his 14th of the season. There then followed a period of intense Blackpool pressure but Arendse was on hand time and time again to save and keep the score 1-0 as the match reached half time.

The second half started in blockbuster fashion Arendse had already made a fine save from a Phil Thompson header before the South African was dismissed after he bought down Denny Mundee inside the area. The red card meant Pål Lundin was called into action for the first time under Jamie Waggett and he showed his worth with a fine reflex save stopped low to his left to flick Thompson's powerful spotkick around the post. Two minutes later Oxford doubled their lead, Thompson giving away a freekick that the ever impressive Joey Beauchamp fired over the wall and past Rachel for his 12th goal of the season and his tenth in the last eight games - some return from a player who seems to have really found their niché under manager Jamie Waggett. From then on it was plain sailing for Oxford as Blackpool offered little in the way of attack and Beauchamp could have made it 3-0 had his late freekick been an inch lower but instead it went over with Rachel struggling to reach it. The result see's Oxford up to eighth just three points off sixth placed Millwall although Waggett wouldn't be drawn into whether or not he felt the playoffs were a realistic target.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Oxford United2 (Lilley 33, Beauchamp 55) Blackpool0 (Thompson missed pen 53)Attendance - 6, 785(4-3-3)Andre Arendse (s/off) - Johnny Wright, Paul Powell, Steve Davis, Mark Watson (bk) - Paul Tait (PÃ¥l Lundin 52), Nick Wright, Peter Fear (c), Mark Graham (Paul Hughes 91) - Joey Beauchamp, Derek Lilley (Kevin Francis 80) Unused Subs - Les Robinson, Andy Ritchie</pre>

Wag

Saturday 29th April 2000
The Memorial Stadium, Bristol
Bristol Rovers vs Oxford United

Oxford travelled to the Memorial Stadium looking to keep their slim hopes of snatching a playoff spot alive after last weeks 2-0 win over Blackpool. They made only one change with Paul Hughes coming into the side for the injured Mark Graham and started brightly but it was Bristol Rovers who went closest in the early exchanges as Jamie Cureton saw a header and then a snapshot well saved by Arendse but slowly Oxford came into the game, Nick Wright finding space twice to test Lee Jones with stinging efforts when other players perhaps might have looked to cross. Jason Roberts hit a post for Rovers after twenty minutes and how he must have wished it had gone in when on twenty-five minutes Oxford stole in front. Johnny Wright robbed Ronnie Mauge and found Peter Fear with a square pass, Fear playing in central midfield advanced before lofting a beautiful forty-five yard pass into the path of striker Derek Lilley, the 26 year old Scottish front man beat Lee Jones to the ball and headed into an empty net to make it one-nil and should have increased the lead minutes later after finding himself free at the back post but his tame effort hit the side netting. He was made to rue his miss later as Rovers came into the game Mauge hitting the bar before on the stroke of halftime Jason Roberts acrobatically smashed home a Robbie Pethick corner to bring the side level at the break.

Lilley twice went close in the opening stages of the second half, forcing Jones into a save from a diving header after being found my Nick Wright and then blasting high and wide after creating space for himself on the edge of the box. Roberts and Michael Meeker both went close for Rovers before Cureton struck the bar with a long range effort as time looked to be running out but then minutes after Cureton had again gone close it was Oxford who struck. Nick Wright finding Derek Lilley on the edge of the area, Lilley twisting and turning before drilling a low shot past Jones to make it 2-1. The match wasn't over though and although Cureton tested Arendse late on even the sending off of defender Steve Davis for a second bookable offence couldn't dampen Oxford's resolve and they came away with the points.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Bristol Rovers1 (Roberts 45)Oxford United2 (Lilley 25, 82)Attendance - 8, 283(4-3-3)Andre Arendse - Johnny Wright, Paul Powell, Steve Davis (s/off), Mark Watson - Paul Tait , Nick Wright, Peter Fear (c), Paul Hughes - Joey Beauchamp, Derek LilleyUnused Subs - PÃ¥l Lundin, Matt Murphy, Steve Anthrobus, Kevin Francis, Andy Ritchie</pre>

Wag

Saturday 6th May 2000
The Manor Ground, Oxford
Oxford United vs Wigan Athletic

Oxford had to win and hope other results went their way if they were to capture the final playoff place and featured a slightly changed line-up to that of the previous game, Rubén DarÃ*o Acebal and Phil Whelan came into the center of defence in place of Steve Davis and Mark Watson after both players recovered from injures whilst Paul Hughes also dropped to the bench as James Lambert reclaimed his starting berth after completing a suspension. It was Lambert who was to have a fruitful day opened the scoring on his return after just three minutes. Paul Tait won a freekick towards the left of the area and the former Reading and Walsall man strode up and curled the ball perfectly over the wall to give Derek Stillie no chance and Oxford the lead. It was his first of the season and also his first for the club. It was proving to be a virtuoso show from the talented winger as minutes later he fed Lilley inside the area after a mazy run but the Scottish striker stroked the ball wide with just Stillie to beat. Paul Tait twice went close for the home side before they did again score, Paul Powell going down on the edge of the area and James Lambert repeated his earlier effort to flight a brilliant freekick past Stillie to double Oxfords lead and also his personal tally for the season, it came on the stroke of half time.

Wigan finally put some pressure on the Oxford goal in the second half and went close on the hour mark to pulling a goal back. Roberto MartÃ*nez threading a pass behind the Oxford defence but the usually reliable Greame Jones snatched at his effort hitting his shot into the hands of Arendse when either side of the South African would surely have bought a goal. The home side were soon back on the attack though as Beauchamp looked to add to his goal glut of recent weeks but he was to provide provider instead for much of this match setting up Derek Lilley with twenty minutes to go after a mazy dribble down the left but the Scotsman snapshot drifted just wide with Stillie well beaten. It was to prove his final chance of the match as he was replaced by Kevin Francis, Jamie Waggett giving the tall front man a final run out for the club he has proved so effective for this season. Another player leaving the club in the summer Mark Watson also came on for Paul Tait and both players recieved a rapturous applause from the home fans. Soon after Arendse saved well from Brian McLaughlin and Waggett sent on another player making his final appearence for the club - Steve Davis replacing Phil Whelan with just ten minutes to go. It was fitting that Davis, who appeared 47 times for the club this season was involved in the final telling moment of the match winning a header that sent Paul Powell scurrying down the left. The left back sent the ball inside to midfielder Peter Fear, the captain taking a touch before lashing home a savage right footed shot to make it 3-0 and round off an excellent final few weeks of the season for Oxford. Unfortunately results elsewhere meant that it was not to be as far as the playoffs were concerned but under manager Jamie Waggett (nine wins and a draw in just ten games since he took over) the club will surely be confident of challenging next season.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Oxford United3 (Lambert 3 & 45, Fear 89) Wigan Athletic0Attendance - 7, 945(4-3-3)Andre Arendse - Johnny Wright, Paul Powell, Rubén DarÃ*o Acebal, Phil Whelan - Paul Tait , Nick Wright, Peter Fear (c), James Lambert - Joey Beauchamp, Derek LilleyUnused Subs - PÃ¥l Lundin, Mark Watson, Steve Davis, Kevin Francis, Paul Hughes</pre>