Oxford United 5 Grays Athletic 0

Oxford United eased to their biggest win of the season (so far) against a Grays Athletic side that weren't as bad as the scoreline suggests, at least in the first half. They were fairly woeful after half-time. In the first period Grays put together some nice passing moves and switched the ball well, but their final ball was always wanting, while at the back they were vulnerable to United's quick breaks.

United scored an early goal, which is often necessary at home as it disrupts the opposition's game plan to pack players behind the ball to keep Oxford at bay. On nine minutes a free kick by Jamie Cook from the right edge of the Grays penalty area was met firmly by James Constable eight yards out to head home his first goal for four days.

Quarter of an hour later and Oxford doubled their lead in controversial circumstances. Grays keeper Preston Edwards went up for a high ball with Matt Green, but the ball ran free into the path of Constable, who walked the ball into the empty net. Grays appealed in vain for a foul on Edwards, and many referees might have given it, but in truth Green challenged fairly for the ball and Edwards' protests earned him a booking that would later prove significant.

United continued to press, and Constable should have done better with a cross from the right by Adam Chapman, but he shot wide with his right foot when a left-footed finish might have been a better option. Two minutes before half-time Oxford scored the third that their play deserved when Constable took on a defender, beat him and, instead of going for his hat-trick, he squared the ball for Jamie Cook to sidefoot home.

In the second half Grays fell apart, especially at the back where their marking was conspicuous by its absence and with a bit of luck and some more clinical finishing Oxford could have wracked up a much bigger score. Green tested Edwards and at the other end Luke Foster got in a good block to deny former-U Jamie Slabber, who also had a shot well saved by Ryan Clarke. United took their time before scoring the fourth; from a corner on the left the ball was cleared only as far as Adam Chapman on the edge of the penalty area. Chapman's shot was going wide, but Jack Midson, three yards out, stuck out a foot to divert it into the goal.

In stoppage time United made it five when Midson, receiving the ball in a suspiciously offside position, ran clear at goal. As he rounded Edwards the keeper brought him down to conceded a penalty and earn himself a second yellow card. The imposing figure of Anwar Uddin took over Edward's orange jersey, but Midson, despite constant sledging from Craig Braham-Barrett stroked the ball past him to complete the scoring. Whatever complaints Grays might have had about whether or not Midson was onside, they couldn't really complain as only moments earlier United were denied a stonewall penalty after Damian Batt had been scythed down in the area. The win demonstrated the gulf in class between the two clubs, and was achieved by the Us playing in only third gear. There's more to come from this side, and Grays are unlikely to be the last club to receive a spanking from them.

Chris Wilder kept the same starting line-up as the side that drew 1-1 at Barrow last Saturday, but he was forced into a change just before half-time, when Midson came on for Constable, who had earlier received a knock on his knee. In the 66th minute Green was replaced by Batt who, playing against his former club, played in an unfamiliar right-wing position (and did rather well, it has to be said). The final change came with 12 minutes remaining, when Aaron Woodley came on for Adam Murray to give another accomplished performance.

Today's centre of attention was Rob Merchant, who was also in charge of United's win over Wrexham back in April. To be fair he didn't have too bad a game, although he managed to miss a handball in the penalty area from a Chapman free kick, while his assistants were rather confused by such basics as whether the ball has gone out or not, and how to interpret the offside law. No Oxford player was shown a yellow card; nor a red one for that matter. Today's attendance was a healthy 6,150, with a less healthy 52 popping around the M25 from Essex.

With Kettering Town having a free Saturday because Wrexham had players involved in Wales Under-21 internationals this weekend, the win takes United nine points clear at the top. Grays dropped one place to fifth from bottom. Most of Oxford's promotion rivals also won today, with Stevenage Borough going above Kettering into second place after their 4-0 win over second-bottom Hayes & Yeading. Mansfield Town are fourth after winning 2-1 at 10th-placed Altrincham, while Luton Town scored a last-minute goal at Kidderminster Harriers to go fifth, leaving Kiddy ninth. AFC Wimbledon are sixth after winning 5-2 at fourth-bottom Forest Green Rovers. United's next opponents, York City, lost 1-0 at Salisbury City, and Courtney Pitt scored Cambridge United's opener in their 4-0 win over third-bottom Ebbsfleet United.

Bottom side Chester City were beaten 1-0 at home by Rushden & Diamonds to leave the Castrians 24 points from safety. Gateshead climbed to 19th following their 3-0 win over Eastbourne Borough, while Crawley Town lost 1-0 at home to Barrow. Tamworth's plummet down the table continued with a 3-1 home defeat by Histon. [@news]2574[/@news] [@opponent]grays athletic[/@opponent]