Oxford United and Coventry City today fought out a dour goalless draw in the Bill Halsey Memorial Cup. The Sky Blues eventually won the tie 9-8 after a penalty shoot-out, which was the most exciting part of the afternoon.

United played a 4-4-2 formation throughout, starting with a back four of Scott McNiven, Andy Crosby, Matt Bound and Matt Robinson in front of Andy Woodman. This is presumably Ian Atkins’ preferred defensive line-up, with the possible exception of Paul McCarthy instead of Matt Bound (and Dave Waterman joining in when playing 5-3-2). In midfield Dean Whitehead started wide on the right with Derek Townsley and triallist Tom Widdrington in the centre and Danny Brown on the left. Up front Julian Alsop and Steve Basham was the preferred starting partnership.

Five minutes before half-time Scott McNiven left with a cut to his head, being replaced by Ezomo Iriekpen, on trial from Cambridge United. Ten minutes or so into the second half United made a triple substitution, with James Hunt coming on for Townsley, Fitzroy Simpson for Widdrington and ROS Chris Hackett for Deano. A couple of minutes later Mark Raul Rawle replaced Bash. A further substitution was Andy Scott coming on for Baker.

Coventry started with Gary McAllister, who dominated the midfield, new signing Patrick Suffo alongside Dele Adebola up front, Moroccan international Youssef Safri in midfield and various other players of varying degrees of unrecognisability. They made half a dozen or so substitutions at half-time and one or two more throughout the second half.

The game itself was quiet, with Coventry having the better chances but no real punch up front to capitalise on them. United looked strong at the back, although Iriekpen tended to dally on the ball and, despite a few good touches, didn’t really inspire confidence. Widdrington again had a good game (apart from one absolute howler of a backpass) and United generally looked good for the draw, although they suffered from a lack of pace up front that Rawle did a lot to rectify. Simpson also added something to the midfield, although Townsley was again the best player for the Us in the centre, with Crosby commanding at the back United won’t be shipping many goals again this season.