Oxford United 2 Swindon Town 0

George Dugdale

When things come in doubles, they are just better. Skilful pots on a snooker table, measurements of alcohol, Swedish supermodels….doubles just make things better. After an exhausting early afternoon game of football in the Oxfordshire sunshine, we can safely conclude that beating Swindon twice in a season can be added to that illustrious list.

Despite the early dismissal of James Constable, two goals in as many minutes gave Oxford United a lead to defend, which they did with every last fibre in their bodies.

It has not been an easy week at Oxford United following the dropped points against Macclesfield Town and the injury setbacks to Peter Leven and Jake Wright. However, if ever there was a game to bring a smile back to the face of Oxford United fans, this was it.

Mark Wilson and Asa Hall formed an unusual central midfield partnership, with Anthony Tonkin replacing Liam Davis at left-back after the former Northampton man suffered from last weekend's exertions. Andy Whing dropped into the back four, with Harry Worley finding himself back on the bench.

The atmosphere had been bubbling outside the ground nicely, but reached new levels as the players took to the field in front of a sell-out crowd of 11,825 . As both teams broke from their pre-match huddles, the noise was one that has rarely been heard at Grenoble Road.

The referee and linesman were the first to feel the full force of the crowd, failing to penalise Ronan Murray for blocking Ryan Clarke's clearance from his hands. Swindon picked up the ball twenty yards from goal and only the last-ditch tackle of Michael Duberry prevented the officials from having a lot of explaining to do.

The first chance of the game came and went as Luke Rooney volleyed into the side netting when well placed, before Damian Batt tested Wes Foderingham from range.

Moments later, the dynamic of the game changed. James Constable looked to be held as he challenged for a high ball and as he spun after the long-ball, Joe Devara collapsed to the floor holding his face in front of the Swindon fans. With the support of the onrushing Swindon players, referee Mr Salisbury pulled the red card from his pocket, much to the delight of Paolo Di Canio's men. Both local radio stations adjudged the dismissal to be harsh, but it will be Swindon who may be regretting the decision more this evening.

Scott Rendell won a free-kick in a similar area to the previous incident and former Swindon loanee Lee Holmes swung a deep cross into the box. A host of United players converged on the ball, but Asa Hall got the final touch as the ball was bundled home to send the home fans into delirium.

United had a lead to cling on to, but as we have established, everything is better in doubles. A minute after Hall had rippled the net, he played a clever ball inside Paul Caddis for Holmes to run onto. The Southampton loanee had no support, but did well to hold onto the ball until Oli Johnson had sprinted into the area. Holmes skilfully beat his man, before slipping the perfect pass into Johnson's path. The net rippled once more and Johnson was bouncing in unison with the Oxford fans as he celebrated his third goal in five games.

Now Oxford really did have a lead to cling onto and Clarke needed to be alert to tip a Matt Ritchie free-kick over the bar. The Oxford fans behind the goal had realised that time needed to be wasted whenever possible and adopted a no-returns policy on footballs that left the field of play. A ball-boy also took the hint and slowed his work-rate considerably, much to the annoyance of the Swindon fans. This prompted Mr Salisbury to speak to his fourth official. Whether he was asking him to tell all the naughty boys behind the goal to play nicely, I'm not quite sure.

Mark Wilson had been caught by a late tackle earlier in the game and was forced from the field, bringing about an unexpectedly prompt return for Adam Chapman. The youngster has been on loan at Newport County, but was going to be playing for over an hour at the deep end.

Swindon were dominating possession and territory, as was to be expected, but were meeting stubborn Oxford resistance. Rooney stabbed an effort wide and Jonathan Smith couldn't beat Clarke from close-range as the frustration began to mount for the league leaders.

This was clearly exhibited when the aforementioned ball-boy increased his efficiency considerably to beat Ritchie to a ball that had gone for a goal kick. As he began to return the ball to Clarke very slowly, Ritchie took offence and became embroiled in a shoving match. The sight of Swindon's main man picking fights with a teenager was amusing, but the winger was rightly booked for his indiscretions. It is worth nothing that Ritchie would also apologise at the end of the game.

A major milestone in the game was the interval, which United just about reached with a two goal lead, despite Ritchie crashing a long-range strike against the post with Clarke beaten. Pressure was always going to be likely due to Oxford's reduced numbers, but the break provided a useful opportunity to recover and reorganise.

Swindon came out for the second half brightly, presumably with a ranting Italian flea in their ear. Alan McCormack fired narrowly over from range, before Paul Benson headed a corner straight at Clarke when unmarked. This wasn't to be the first involvement for United's stopper, who was commanding his area well and relieving pressure whenever possible. An imaginary spell of cramp also helped to break up the play as Swindon piled forward.

Despite all the possession and territorial dominance, Swindon were creating less than they had managed in the first half and the addition of Liam Davis and Jon-Paul Pittman gave United a renewed energy. Scott Rendell was covering every blade of grass and the men behind him were putting their bodies in front of everything that came their way.

Even in the dying minutes of the game, as United's fans began to realise that the job was going to be completed, Hall headed off the line. In injury time, Benson astonishingly miskicked with the goal gaping, before the exceptional Andy Whing appeared from nowhere to repel Rooney's follow-up.

United had worked tirelessly and defended with everything they had. Swindon were out of ideas. As the referee blew for full-time, the men in yellow collapsed to the floor with exhaustion. Nobody in the home section would have begrudged them that, as Oxford fans jumped and cheered in every stand.

This was a proud day for everybody connected with Oxford United. This is a good Swindon team. There is no point in allowing a rivalry to get in the way of that. Considering the players that Oxford were without today and the major one that was lost early in the game, the most pleasing of victories takes on even greater significance. Chris Wilder deserves great credit for encouraging his players to attack on the counter-attack, as shown by Oli Johnson's determination to get into the box for the second goal rather than forcing Lee Holmes to simply maintain possession. The players were organised and would quite evidently do anything for their manager and the shirt. Such a mentality can only serve the club well.

Ryan Clarke was composed and was fantastically protected by Andy Whing and Michael Duberry. The decision to move Whing into the back four was a big call, but one that was fully justified. At full-back, Damian Batt and Anthony Tonkin were excellent. Both are used to getting further up the pitch, but sacrificed attacking runs in order to stand strong as a defensive unit. Tonkin's performance reminded everybody that there is some real depth to this Oxford squad. Mark Wilson was unlucky to pick up an injury before he had the opportunity to enhance his reputation, but both Asa Hall and Adam Chapman worked tirelessly to ensure that the talented Simon Ferry had no time on the ball. Both provided moments of quality too, with Chapman composed on the ball and Hall providing the pass that released Holmes for the second goal. Oli Johnson's defensive play has been questionable previously, but he worked throughout to support his full-back. On the other flank, Lee Holmes provided both quality in possession and a shield for Tonkin. Without James Constable, Scott Rendell was asked to do a difficult shift, chasing defenders and holding the ball up for significant periods of time, but he gave United a release from the pressure on a number of occasions. Both Jon-Paul Pittman and Liam Davis played a part when coming on, building on the good work of others beforehand.

This was the ultimate team performance. When the chips were down, United kicked on to get in front and then fought until the death to protect the clean sheet. Neither derby win has been the most calming of experiences, but this Oxford team really do possess the mentality for the big game.

Graham Salisbury was the man given the unenviable job of refereeing such an intense fixture and lived up to his reputation for being fond of a card. Before arriving at Grenoble Road, Mr Salisbury had awarded 86 yellow cards and 3 reds in 30 matches. In six of those fixtures he has dished out five or more bookings. It is difficult to comment on the Constable red card without seeing it again, but there have been plenty of suggestions from both sides that it was a harsh call. One thing that was clear, however, was that Salisbury loves a soft yellow card. Lee Holmes yellow was deserved, whilst Rendell's booking for dissent can't be argued. A booking for Oli Johnson was soft, but was a serious offence compared to the cards awarded to Asa Hall and Anthony Tonkin, the latter being booked for falling over with cramp. This offence was deemed equally serious as Ritchie's scuffle with a teenage ball-boy. Odd. The game was competitive, but not as dirty as the referee's notebook would suggest.

Elsewhere, Southend United returned to winning ways with a 2-0 victory at Burton Albion. Cheltenham Town are now only two points clear in second place after a 2-2 home draw with Northampton Town and are three points behind Swindon, who have a game in hand. Shrewsbury, who Oxford face on Tuesday, drew 1-1 at Crewe, whilst Torquay extended Crawley's poor run with a late winner. Oxford are two points behind the Red Devils, who have played two games fewer. Gillingham are three points behind United following a 1-0 win over Plymouth Argyle. Port Vale dropped points at Accrington, being pulled back twice in a 2-2 draw.

At the bottom of the table, Northampton remain at the foot, despite that point at Cheltenham. Dagenham moved out of the bottom three thanks to a 1-0 win over Bradford. Hereford also recorded a big win, beating AFC Wimbledon 2-1 at home. Bristol Rovers drew at home to Macclesfield Town, whilst Barnet held Rotherham. Aldershot Town beat Morecame 1-0 at home.

This all seems slightly irrelevant tonight, however, as Oxford United fans toast their heroes with a drink or two. Make mine a double…