United eased past Cambridge United at the Abbey Stadium last night, as two goals from Yemi Odubade and one from Chris Hargreaves gave Oxford a comfortable 3-0 win. United started brightly, and had the home side on the back foot for much of the first half. Yemi came close when he charged down a clearance by Paul Crichton, before former Oxford player Courtney Pitt had a shooting chance that he placed well wide. United took the lead just before the half hour, when Eddie Anaclet released Steve Basham, who in turn found the unmarked Yemi, who coolly slotted the ball past Crichton.

Ten minutes after half-time, Chris Hargreaves was on hand to head home a near-post Rufus Brevett cross, after the Roof had collected a pass from Andy Burgess. Five minutes later, United sealed the points when Yemi scored his second of the match. Barry Quinn’s header struck the bar and went over, and the referee awarded the Us a corner, which was taken short. Burgess then crossed for Chris Willmott at the far post. His header was nodded on by Phil Gilchrist, and Yemi came bursting through to shoot the ball home. Yemi had a couple of opportunities to score his first senior hat-trick, but was denied by Crichton on the first occasion, and by taking the ball too wide on the second.

Jim Smith made three changes to the side that had been held at home by Altrincham. With leading scorer Rob Duffy suspended for the game, Basham started up front. Willmott returned to the defence in place of John Dempster, while Brevett resumed his position as left wingback, with Matt Day making way. The first substitution took place with about 20 minutes remaining, as Day came on for Brevett. Five minutes later, Dempster replaced Anaclet, who was suffering from a dead leg. The final change came six minutes from time, Carl Pettefer being replaced by Eddie Hutchinson.

Last night’s referee was Graham Horwood. He had a reasonably uncontroversial game, but still managed to book both Willmott and Day. The attendance was 4,002, of whom 833 were supporting the right club. A match report may (or may not, depending if anyone contributes one) appear later.

The three points increased United’s lead at the top of the Conference to five points, with Dagenham & Redbridge hosting Kidderminster today. Cambridge remain 18th, for the time being. Today’s other fixtures include third-placed Weymouth hosting Rushden & Diamonds, York visit Tamworth, Exeter welcome Stafford, and Gravesend entertain Woking. United’s next Conference opponents, Aldershot, are visited by Morecambe. Should United beat the Shots, it will set another club record for an unbeaten run in the league in one season.