Mo Missanga raised by GOD after scoring United’s second (Photo: Steve Daniels)

What an evening that was! United set their traps, Reading were caught, and clinical Oxford gave the Biscuitmen a footballing lesson.

Before the game, I thought I’d gone back in time to an age when Burberry was still in fashion. I arrived at the Golden Ball about an hour before kick-off: normally a sedate, quiet spot to contemplate the forthcoming game with a few mates over a bottle of Greene King IPA (unfortunately the pumps were out of action, so the only drafts available were lagers – no thanks).

On Wednesday night, however, I got to the pub to find it surrounded by Thames Valley’s boys in blue marshalling a group of around fifty of Oxford’s finest, clad in black with the aforementioned Burberry scarfs being worn by a good number. Stone Island seems to have been replaced by Canada Goose as the casual wear of choice, judging by the coats being worn as they were escorted from the hostelry and marched like a bunch of chain-gang prisoners in the direction of the Kassam.

At least the pub, which suffered badly from a lack of trade over the summer, was doing a roaring trade, with the outside area and bar packed. Luckily, there was space in the lounge for a leisurely drink (albeit standing-room only).

Enough pre-amble. What about the game? Driven on by a passionate and noisy crowd, United were up for this one from the off, without abandoning their patient, passing game. To be fair, Reading had obviously watched the Stockport game and allowed Oxford to have the ball at the back, not pressing until it reached midfield or the wings.

So while this meant few quick breakaways, the U’s still looked sharp and could have taken the lead when they did manage to work the ball upfield quickly, with a nice little flick from Tyler Goodrham releasing Siriki Dembélé. His pass found Aidomo Emakhu behind the Reading defence, but a poor first touch allowed goalkeeper Joel Perreira to fall on the ball.

For their part, Reading threatened once in the first half, Jack Marriott’s shot being parried away by the returning Simon Eastwood, covering for Jamie Cumming following the dismissal of United’s appeal against his red card at Barnsley.

Reading started the second period brightly and Heydon Roberts’ cross came back off the post before Eastwood smuggled the ball behind as Jeriel Dorsett backheeled the loose ball goalwards.

Oxford rode the brief storm and much of the second period was spent on the front foot. Cameron Brannagan brought out a good save from Perreira from a free kick 30 yards out, while the U’s rode their luck when Ciaron Brown sliced the ball onto his own crossbar.

Then came Aaron Ramsey’s substitutions. First, Mo Missanga replaced Emakhu and four minutes later Goodrham came off for Gatlin O’Donkor; two Reading-born lads that came through the Oxford academy.

O’Donkor struck first, latching on to a quick Brannagan free kick. I thought he’d taken the ball too wide and held onto it too long. What do I know? He rifled the ball home off the far post to spark delirium in the crowd and give the U’s a priceless lead with 20 minutes to go.

Gatlin O’Donkor strikes United into the lead (Photo: Steve Daniels)

Reading did attempt a response and came close when Jacob Brown’s volley struck the top of the crossbar, but that was all the visitors could muster as Oxford then put them to the sword. Brannagan’s corner to the back post was headed back by O’Donkor, and Missanga, with his back to goal, flicked the ball past Perreira to make it 2-0 and some very happy reading for the U’s, with a celebration to match (see top photo).

Yep

That was it as a contest. The visitors had nothing left to give and United passed the ball around to leave Reading chasing shadows. There was no crumb of comfort for the Biscuitmen. The whole thing was absolutely glorious and even the local constabulary was smiling as the fans made their way out of the ground.

More of this sort of thing, please.

UTFO