Oxford United 6 Eastbourne Borough 3

Oxford scored six goals in a match for the first time since beating Halifax 6-1 in December 2001, as they finally remembered how to score, against visitors Eastbourne Borough. Unfortunately, United continued to forget how to defend, and as a result turned what should have been a comfortable win into something of an endurance test. This would have been a superbly entertaining game to watch for any neutrals, or Wrexham scouts, in the crowd, but until the Eastbourne players retired, 20 minutes from time, it was a nervy experience for United supporters (and, apparently, players).

The game started with United looking like they were going to put aside their first two defeats and play with the style and flair that they had exhibited during pre-season, going two goals up in seven minutes. First, an Adam Murray corner led to a shot from Lewis Haldane which Borough goalie Lee Hook (sadly, not their captain) parried for James Constable to shoot home for his first for the club. On seven minutes Constable set up Levi Reid for the left winger to smash the ball past Hook from 15 yards, and it looked like the floodgates were going to open for the Us. However, four minutes later the part-timers pulled a goal back when a lob from Allan Tait over Jake Cole hit the bar and fell for the unmarked Patrick Harding to tap home. There was a hint of handball in the build-up, but it was poor defending that allowed both Tait and then Harding to get clear. The Sports' equaliser came from even worse defending, as Tait was allowed far too much time and space in the centre of the penalty area to easily beat Cole. Tait could even have given the visitors the lead a couple of minutes later, but his shot was too weak to beat Cole. The visitors were clearly on top, and a shot from Paul Armstrong smacked against the post. It took comical defending from Eastbourne for United to take the lead again, as former Borough striker Yemi Odubade crossed from the right, but with no Oxford players anywhere near Ben Austin's defensive header cannoned off Marc Pullen and into the net, just four minutes before half time. There was still time for substitute Eddie Hutchinson, apparently back in favour, to hit the bar with a header when he perhaps should have done better.

United started the second half the stronger team, and both Yemi and Hutch came close. Twenty minutes after the break Eastbourne equalised again, when Paul Armstrong was left unmarked on the edge of the goal area to volley home a deep cross. Parity didn't last too long, as three minutes later Constable latched onto a Haldane cross, but saw his shot rebound off Hook and fall to Hutch who, like a rabbit out of a hat, popped up in the right place to tap home. Ten minutes from time Yemi hared down the left wing and his cross fell behind the retreating Borough defenders perfectly into the path of Constable, who clipped the ball past Hook. Yemi then set up Constable for his hat trick, this time with a cross from the right, but somehow Constable failed to get his head to the ball from about a foot out. Shots from Haldane and the ROS Sam Deering went close, before the scoring was completed from an unlikely source as Barry Quinn was left free at the far post to head home another Murray corner.

Rather surprisingly, Darren Patterson kept the same line-up as the team that had lost to Weymouth on Tuesday, although he did make one minor, but quite significant, change. Haldane was put on the right wing, with Reid on the opposite flank. Hutch came on for the injured Joe Burnell as early as the 18th minute. Deering replaced Reid with six minutes remaining; a comical moment as the fourth official initially held up Yemi's number, and the on-fire striker started to leave the pitch to a standing ovation before the error was corrected.

Today's referee was Kevin Johnson, who was poorer than many poor officials. Mr Johnson had little concept of allowing the game to flow, and made many poor decisions. This was an entertaining game despite the officiating, and his booking of Murray remains a mystery. Today's attendance was a disappointing 3,969, with just 88 taking a constitutional from their retirement homes.[@news]2350[/@news] [@opponent]eastbourne borough[/@opponent]

The three points have lifted Oxford out of the relegation zone and up to 16th place, one above Eastbourne on goal difference. Cambridge United are the early leaders, and the only side in the Conference with a 100 per cent record after they beat sixth-placed Barrow 2-1, with Wayne Hatswell getting the winner. Mansfield Town are second following their 4-2 win over fourth-bottom Kidderminster Harriers, with two former Oxford loanees among the goals, Michael Blackwood scoring the Stags' second, and Justin Richards grabbing Kiddy's second. Weymouth are third after drawing 1-1 with second-bottom Stevenage Borough, while York City's 1-1 draw at home to 18th-placed Histon takes the Minstermen to fifth. Propping up the early table are United's next visitors, Woking, who lost 3-2 at fourth-placed Burton Albion.

The other side currently in the relegation zone are Lewes, who lost 4-1 at home to Salisbury City, who are seventh. Northwich Victoria are 20th after they lost 2-1 at Grays Athletic, in 12th place. Kettering Town, in 15th, earned their third successive 1-1 draw, at 10th-placed Altrincham, while Forest Green Rovers beat Crawley 1-0 to claim 11th place, leaving Crawley in 14th. United's next opponents, Wrexham (currently 13th) visit 8th-placed Rushden & Diamonds tomorrow.