Oxford United secured their biggest win since December 2001 as they scored five goals against Northwich Victoria, who managed one in reply. United almost took the lead in the first ten minutes, when a Steve Basham volley was tipped over by Phil Senior. Just after quarter of an hour the Us took the lead when Rob Duffy chested down an Andy Burgess cross and slammed the ball into the far corner for his fourth of the season. Billy Turley was forced into two routine saves to prevent a Northwich equaliser, but United’s nerves were settled on the stroke of half time, when Carl Pettefer scored his first goal for United with a cracking shot from a poor defensive clearance, following a Basham cross.

Oxford made the points safe just three minutes after the break, when Duffy headed a Burgess cross back across the goal for Basham to head home his first of the season. United’s fourth goal was arguably the best of the lot, as a fast-flowing move left the Cheshire side wondering what hit them. It ended with a sweet cross by Eddie Anaclet-Odhiambo, which Burgess dummied for Gavin Johnson to sweep into the top corner, wiht 67 minutes gone. Unfortunately, it was an Anaclet error nine minutes later that led to a swift break by Northwich, ending with Paul Brayson knocking the ball into an empty net. By this time, United had eased back into second gear, conserving their energy for Monday’s game at Weymouth, but that didn’t prevent Oxford scoring a well-deserved fifth, eight minutes from time. Super-sub Yemi Odubade ran on to a threaded pass by Basham, outpaced the covering defender, knocked the ball past Senior, and slotted it into the empty net to complete an excellent game for United, who scored five classy goals.

Jim Smith made two changes to the side that won at Burton last Friday. Chris Willmott was given his first start of the season following his three-game suspension, replacing Matt Day on the right of the three-man defence, while Barry Quinn returned from his one-match ban in place of the injured John Dempster. Smith made a double substitution just two minutes after United scored their fourth, bringing on Day and Yemi in place of Johnson and Duffy. Eddie Hutchinson then replaced Chris Hargreaves as United were celebrating their fifth.

Today’s referee was Russell Fletcher, whose fine performance was only marred by him booking Steady Eddie for a trip in the final minute. The attendance of 5,364, of whom only 159 were in the away end, was more than double the next highest Conference attendance of the day, at Aldershot. We hope to publish a match report soon, but as ever, we welcome contributions from others.

This win lifts United to the top of the Conference for the first time, above Weymouth on goal difference. Northwich have dropped to 17th. Weymouth, whom United visit on Monday, stay second and also have a 100 percent record, following their 1-0 win at Kidderminster, in 15th place. Grays Athletic have climbed to third after their 3-0 home win over 20th-placed Woking, while York City are fourth after they beat 13th-placed Burton Albion 3-2 last night, a result that briefly lifted the Yorkshire side to the top of the table. Stafford Rangers are 5th, thanks to their 2-1 win at Crawley, a result that ended the Sussex side’s 100 percent record, and which leaves them bottom of the table with -1 point.

Forest Green Rangers are now the only side in the Conference to have lost all their four opening matches, going down 1-0 at home to 9th-placed Gravesend to leave them second from bottom. Cambridge United’s poor start to the season continued, as they lost 2-1 at home to Halifax, which lifts the Shaymen to 16th and drops the other Us to 22nd. Stevenage picked up their first point of the season thanks to a Steve Morison hat-trick, which earned them a 3-3 draw at 12th-placed Morecambe and lifted themselves up to 21st. Southport, in 19th place, lost 2-1 at home to Rushden, a result that lifts the Diamonds up to 11th. Tamworth climbed up to 18th thanks to a 1-0 win against Exeter City, which sees the Grecians drop to 8th place. Just above them, Dagenham earned a 1-1 draw at Aldershot, which leaves the two clubs in 6th and 7th places respectively. The day’s only other Conference game saw 10th-placed Altrincham beat St Albans, in 14th place, 2-0.