United achieved their fourth away league win of the season, and their first win of any kind since Boxing Day, at Adams Park today. Joey Beauchamp scored the 26th minute winner which moved Oxford out of the relegation zone and which means that United have now won more games away from home than at the Manor. Craig Russell replaced Derek Lilley, starting the game up front alongside Nigel Jemson, and Steve Davis started the game in place of Mark Watson in the centre of defence. Pål Lundin hobbled off to be replaced by Richard Knight, making his final appearance of his loan spell from Derby and, with about ten minutes remaining, Steve Anthrobus came on for Jemson. Phil Whelan was booked for a late challenge. There were 6,200 spectators in the ground, of which about a third were United followers, all of whom will be interested in this match report.
Firoz Kassam has a pre-contract proposal from Barr Limited which states that work will recommence on the Minchery Farm stadium on Monday February 21st. Kassam actually takes possession of the land this Monday. If all goes according to schedule the first fixture at the ground is anticipated to be on Saturday October 21st. In the meantime Oxford will start next season playing its home games at the Manor, despite the ticketing logistical nightmare that will ensue with a mid-season move.
The future of the whole development might, however, be thrown into jeopardy thanks to Morrells and the covenant on the Blackbird pub in Blackbird Leys which prevents any other outlet selling any alcohol apart from Morrells beers within half a mile of the pub. Whilst this needn't affect the stadium itself, it will certainly have a disastrous affect on the ancillary developments of the conference centre, the hotel and the leisure complex which are fundamental to the whole future funding structure of the club and ground. It is uncertain what the options open to Morrells are, but they could include taking out an injunction to prevent the development, or insisting that Kassam pays a substantial amount to lift the covenant. The covenant was originally agreed by the City Council back in the mid-'60s when Blackbird Leys was a lot smaller and further from other residential developments. The point of a covenant is to protect commercial interests, but not to prevent competition, so it is to be hoped that this element might provide a potential escape clause from the restrictions of the covenant. Otherwise it looks like we all have to avoid Morrells pubs for the forseeable future, which is not such a sacrifice any more!
Triallist Kerwin Jemmott has returned to Trinidad & Tobago, as has his compatriot Nigel Pierre whom Bristol Rovers thought they had signed, as both their work permits have been revoked. Apparently they had both claimed that they had played more internationals than in fact is the case – Jemmott has represented his country a total of 23 times – when to qualify for a work permit a player has to have played in at least 50% of his country's games in the previous season.
South Africa beat Tunisia in a penalty shoot-out to claim third place in the African Nations Cup in Accra today. The game finished 2-2 after 90 minutes and the shoot-out ended 4-3 to Bafana Bafana. South African goalkeeper Andre Arendse took centre stage in the game, gifting Tunisia a goal with an embarrassing slip in the first half but then making up for the mistake with a penalty save eight minutes from time. Arendse mis-kicked a tame back pass from defender Pierre Issa in the 27th minute, the ball slicing off the side of his boot and falling perfectly for Zitouni to equalise. Substitute Siyabonga Nomvete restored South Africa's lead soon after coming on in the second half with a forceful run into the penalty area and strong finish. Arendse then saved a penalty from Khaled Badra, but slipped as he tried in vain to stop Zitouni's last-gasp header.
despite leaving United. In the Premiership Dean Windass scored Bradford City's first but they still lost by the odd goal in nine at Upton Park. Our favourite son Matty Elliott put Leicester ahead at Watford, but the Hornets pulled back to draw. Alex Dyer scored Notts County's first in their 2-0 win over Wrexham. Darlington's second in their 4-1 win at Exeter was scored by Marco Gabbiadini. David Leworthy scored Kingstonian's third as they beat Sutton United 4-2.
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another fine mash from ox9encoding