Oxford United romped to their best away win of the season, beating Halifax Town 3-0 at the Shay this afternoon. This was United's second away win on the trot, and goes a long way to undoing the harm suffered by the 3-0 home defeat by Burton Albion. United could have scored straight from kick off, when a Halifax winger misjudged Jamie Hand's long ball to the wing, allowing Phil Trainer to control the ball, take it to the byeline, and cross for Justin Richards to head narrowly over. The next half hour was virtually all Halifax. Matt Day conceded a stupid free kick just outside the area, and Matt Doughty's delivery went into the side netting, with a lot of Town supporters on the opposite side of the ground believing the ball had gone in. The Shaymen continued to pour forward, often cutting through the Oxford midfield with some incisive passing, and their players seemed to win possession from second balls a lot more often than the Us. Oxford's defence and midfield continued to conceded possession, often hoofing the ball forward only for it to come straight back again. On two occasions the Fax got the ball wide and behind the Oxford defence, only for no one to be attacking the ball as it was crossed across the face of the goal. Ten minutes before half time, Halifax's leading scorer, John Shaw, shot from just outside the area. The ball was always swinging wide and clipped the outside of the post before rebounding into play. It was cleared upfield and Matt Green charged down a clearance, the ball ricocheting into the Halifax area, where Richards chased it down. He poked the ball past the foolishly onrushing Adam Legzdins, who brought down the striker to concede the penalty, converted coolly by Adam Murray for his first Oxford goal, much against the run of play.

In the second half Oxford were by far the better side, with Halifax not troubling Billy Turley at all after he saved from Danny Forrest, possibly because Shaw went off injured early on. Twelve minutes after the break, Eddie Anaclet picked up the ball on the touchline on half way, surrounded by two markers. He got the luck of the ball as one of the Fax players ended on the floor, and he surged forward into the space in front of him. Eddie played the ball forward to Green, on the corner of the area, and his cross was neatly flicked home by Richards to give the on-loan Kidderminster Harriers striker his first goal for United. Six minutes later United created the best move of the match, of the season, probably ever seen in the Conference ever, with a series of flowing one-touch passes down the left, involving Michael Howard, Trainer, and Richards, setting up Green in front of goal, only for him to blast the ball over when it was easier to score. United were now in control, and looked like scoring pretty much every time they came forward, while in contrast the home side failed to make any inroads on the Yellows defence. With six minutes remaining, the inevitable third goal arrived, as Murray released Richards, who took the ball to the byeline and crossed, only for Santos Gaia, making his home debut for the Shaymen, to slice the ball into his own net. On the first half performance, Oxford would have been lucky to have taken anything from the game, but on the second half showing, 3-0 was a fair result.[@news]2290[/@news][@opponent]halifax town[/@opponent]

The line-up for this match was unusual, in that Darren Patterson made no changes to the side that won 1-0 at Stafford Rangers last weekend. This meant that Matt Day kept his place at right back, with Jamie Clarke on the bench, having served his one-match suspension. As usual, Patto failed to name a substitute goalkeeper, leading to some nervous moments midway through the first half, when Turley collided with a Halifax forward leaving both players needing treatment. Despite Green getting a knock when United were cruising at 2-0, he was left on the pitch until the third goal went in, when he was replaced by Craig McAllister. A couple of minutes later the Us' strikeforce was completely renovated when Alex Fisher came on for Richards.

The man in the middle was experienced referee Muhammed Matadar, whose last match involving United was another 3-0 away win, last season at Altrincham, almost exactly one year ago. The Blackburn-based official was without doubt one of the best to have officiated an Oxford game for some time. He allowed the game to flow, got all the major, and most of the minor, decisions correct, and produced his cards only with the greatest reluctance. Two of those on the receiving end of his yellow brandishments were Murray and McAllister, both justified. The attendance was just 1,369, which was disappointing given the rallying cry issued in the Halifax press for the local public to support the club, which has just announced its administration, and the subsequent deduction of ten points. There were probably around 200 Oxford fans present.

The win takes Oxford back up to 13th place, and sees them reach 50 points for the season. Halifax are 17th, but when the ten points are removed from their record they'll only drop one place, but will only be one point above the relegation zone. That 21st place is now occupied by Altrincham, who lost 2-1 at leaders Aldershot, now 12 points clear of second-placed Cambridge United, held 0-0 at home by Weymouth, who climbed out of the relegation places to 19th. Stevenage Borough, who visit Oxford on Monday, are third after beating Ebbsfleet United 3-1 last night. Torquay United won 2-0 at second-bottom Stafford Rangers to stay fourth, with Tim Sills opening the scoring. The final play-off spot is occupied by Burton Albion, who beat Crawley Town 1-0.

Bottom side Droylsden lost 3-1 at Grays Athletic on Thursday, leaving themselves 20 points from safety and looking certs to be playing Conference North football next season. Northwich Victoria's revival continued today, and they are now just four points from safety after beating fifth-bottom Farsley Celtic 4-0, with Lee Steele scoring the last goal in stoppage time. Exeter City are sixth, three points behind Burton, after beating Kidderminster 1-0, with Forest Green Rovers a further four points behind after beating Woking 2-1 last night. Rovers are level with Histon, who drew 3-3 at Salisbury City, also last night. In today's other game, Rushden & Diamonds drew 1-1 with York City.