George Dugdale

Within football matches, the briefest of moments can create a reason for that game to live long in the memory. Oxford United's 2-1 victory over Port Vale was one of these games, but three moments will be remembered long after the lively visiting support has returned to Burslem. A Duberry goal, a wonder goal from Peter Leven and a fine Ryan Clarke penalty save mark this game out as something a little special.

This was a thoroughly entertaining game of League Two football between two very able teams, that featured a little bit of everything. From the very opening exchanges, it was clear that the play would swing from end to end with barely a pause for breath due to referee Mr Haywood's apparent dislike of awarding free-kicks.

United took an early lead after 11 minutes from the first opportunity of the game. Leven whipped a corner into the box and Michael Duberry, the recipient of a vocal welcome from the Vale fans after his spell at Stoke, rose highest to power his header into the net. If 'Dubes' never nets for United again, he at least made sure his celebration won't be forgotten, charging as an aeroplane in front of his visiting friends to the cheers of his adoring home crowd.

Robert Hall continued to make a fine impression, showing lightning quick feet on numerous occasions. At the end of one twisting run, his low effort curled narrowly wide of Stuart Tomlinson's upright. Moments later, James Constable slipped the ever-probing Alfie Potter through, only for the linesman's flag to be raised as the winger rounded the goalkeeper to slot home.

At the other end, Vale were playing some attractive passing football, but were guilty of squandering possession cheaply in the final third when well placed. However, they were able to test Clarke shortly before the interval. Doug Loft outpaced Andy Whing in the full-back area and thumped his effort goalward. Clarke flung himself to his right to repel the strike.

Seconds before the break, Clarke had his captain to thank for maintaining United's advantage. Liam Davis misjudged a clearing header and having only succeeded in putting the ball back in the danger zone, Jake Wright produced the bravest of double blocks to scramble the ball clear. It was going to be that kind of afternoon for the home side, with everybody giving their all to get the three points.

Yet again, United were 1-0 up at the interval of a home game.

Vale had ended the first half strongly and continued to press forward after the interval. However, as they pressed, spaces were created for the home side. Constable outstripped his marker on the right flank, before pulling the ball back to Potter. The winger missed the opportunity to celebrate his contract extension with a goal as he air-kicked (or as he will say, dummied), but Leven raced in at the back stick to drill a low left-footed effort narrowly wide of the upright.

Potter was having another positive afternoon, probing in the space in front of the Port Vale defence throughout. After one sensational turn 35 yards from goal, Potter released Hall on the left of the area. The West-Ham loanees effort was parried clear by the formidable Tomlinson.

As United have shown on numerous occasions at home this season, a one goal advantage is a narrow one. The visitors advanced quickly once more and a pinpoint pass took Liam Davis out of the game. Adam Yates crossed low across goal for Marc Richards to tap home at the back post. Just as was the case in midweek, United were drawing at home.

The United faithful were confident of getting another goal, but nobody expected Leven to restore the lead in the manner that he did. Collecting the ball after a sloppy pass from Vale, Leven barely glanced goalwards before drilling the ball towards the East Stand from the centre-circle. As the ball hurtled through the air, it became apparent that Tomlinson was struggling to back-pedal quickly enough. As the ball dropped under the crossbar, the Oxford fans erupted. This was a goal of the very highest quality. David Beckham, Xabi Alonso, Ross Draper…(google it)…Leven's strike was right up there. As the crowd sounded their appreciation for one of the finest goals I can remember an Oxford United player scoring, my thoughts drifted to our absent regular home match reporter. This was the kind of goal that you wouldn't want to miss.

With the lead restored, United were determined to keep hold of it. Duberry was winning everything in the air, Wright was fiercely determined in the tackle and they were being ably supported by 9 others. Imagine then, if you can, the disappointment when the softest of Duberry challenges resulted in the award of a penalty. Equally, imagine the ecstasy as Clarke launched himself to his right to get a strong hand to Richards' penalty. A brilliant save, and one that would bring United all three points.

Having seen the fourth official indicate four minutes of added time, United were able to keep the ball for the majority, making life easy for their goalkeeper. Port Vale's players looked too exhausted to muster a response, which was unsurprising considering the frantic speed at which the game had been played. As Duberry, Leven, Clarke and their team-mates took the applause of the 8,000 plus crowd, they were able to reflect on a tough job, well done.

This was a very encouraging Oxford United performance, featuring not only the flowing football that had been seen in the final twenty minutes against Plymouth, but the sort of gritty determination that wins difficult football matches. Moving forwards, this is a very encouraging sign for Chris Wilder and his staff.

Wilder had made one change to his team for the Plymouth Argyle fixture, with Andy Whing replacing the suspended Damian Batt at right back. The former Leyton Orient defender produced a solid defensive performance, also offering a threat in the opposition half when possible. Whing will never be the same type of player as Damian Batt and whilst this will never be enough for some, his performance today was worthy of credit.

Mark Haywood is, put simply, a strange referee. Very rarely has an Oxford United game seen so much physical contact allowed, with anything less than a headlock considered legal when the ball was in the air. On occasions, headlocks were also encouraged. This created a game that was fluid and highly entertaining ass a result. However, when allowing play to continue after a certain type of challenge throughout, it was bemusing to see a penalty awarded for an identical tackle. Meanwhile, the linesman on the nearside of the field was making no friends on the United bench or in the South Stand, spotting some offences that nobody else had seen, whilst proving entirely unable to judge when the ball had left the field.

For taking the time to explain the linesman's failings, Constable made his way into the notebook, where he was joined by Taylor and Chilvers from Vale.

This fine win lifts United to 4th place in the Division Three table, 6 points behind the new leaders Southend. Their 2-0 victory at Macclesfield saw them leapfrog Crawley Town, who were held 1-1 at home by Accrington Stanley. Oxford climb to 29 points, the same as Morecambe in third and Cheltenham a place below. Swindon fall 3 points behind United after being held at home to Bradford, with the gap between the automatic places and mid table growing. At the other end of the table, Barnet remain in the relegation zone after an entertaining 6-3 defeat to Burton Albion.

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