Wycombe Wanderers 1 Oxford United 3

George Dugdale

Empics

Oxford United returned along the M40 with three points after a fine team performance provided a comfortable victory at Wycombe Wanderers.

Early goals in each half from James Constable and Tom Craddock gave United a lead to protect and although Joel Grant's penalty kick temporarily reduced the deficit, Johnny Mullins' first Oxford goal sent the 1800 visiting fans home with smiles on their faces.

Chris Wilder made two changes from the defeat at Rochdale as Jake Wright replaced the suspended Michael Raynes and Adam Chapman survived a burnt nipple on Friday night to take his place in central midfield. That's a line you may never see again.

Chapman had already shown his bottle on a nippy Wycombe afternoon (I'll stop now) as he curled a free-kick wide of Nikki Bull's post, before United got off to the perfect start. Peter Leven curled a neat ball to Tom Craddock on the edge of the Wycombe area. Last weekend's four goal hero set the ball back perfectly for James Constable to lash a right-footed strike into the ground and past Bull. Constable's all-round performance had deserved a goal seven days previously and the relief was clear to see as he celebrated his first league goal of the season.

United's front pair are proving to be a threat to opposition defences and only a linesman's flag denied Constable a second as he slotted home after Leven's lofted pass. The flag may have been disheartening, but the sight of United's attack linking so well with the players behind was quite the opposite.

The match was feisty and competitive, but neither keeper was forced to do anything too energetic for the majority of the half. United's supporters were taking great joy in Wycombe's player-manager Gareth Ainsworth having a difficult afternoon and everything felt rather comfortable. Leven was linking things together nicely, Mullins and Wright were keeping the lively Grant away from goal and very little was finding its way past Whing and Capaldi in the full-back areas.

However, one goal leads are always tense and United were given a warning in the last minute of the half. Charles Dunne stung Ryan Clarke's palms from range and a combination of Clarke and Wright managed to block Grant's follow-up effort.

As Ainsworth went to the changing rooms to give his right-winger a telling off, the heavens opened and the previously vocal Oxford support sunk further into their coats as a cold wind swept through the stand. In Wycombe's two-tier stand, the evasion was slightly more urgent as the rain pelted into the faces of those who had not yet taken to the concourse.

If United had started the first half well, the second half was even better. Wright showed the other string to his bow as he curled a lovely ball over the defence for Craddock to race on to. The ball sat up nicely for the former-Middlesbrough man and he accepted the invitation gleefully to volley high into the net in front of the Oxford fans. Passing through midfield is lovely, but when you go from your own penalty area to the back of the opposition net in two accurate touches, why not?

It feels as if life is never as easy as it should be as an Oxford fan and there was barely time to enjoy the lead before Wycombe had halved it. Constable was adjudged to have hauled his man to the turf from a corner and Grant sent Clarke the wrong way from the spot to give the hosts hope.

The two sides were only dealing in goals at the start of the second half and thankfully, it was the men in yellow who got the next one. Leven's deep free-kick was seemingly gathered by Bull, but as he landed on the byline he somehow let the ball slip from his grasp. Sean Rigg gathered possession and lifted a cross into the six yard box. Mullins had been heading the ball twenty yards all afternoon and was not going to miss from six as he sent the Oxford fans behind the goal wild.

United were looking a confident, cohesive unit and a clear exhibition of this very nearly resulted in another goal after 70 minutes. Craddock held the ball on the wing and somehow set Potter free as he burst along the touchline. The winger tore past Dunne, who was becoming sick of the sight of Potter's heels, before back-heeling into the path of the onrushing Craddock. Only a fine save from Bull prevented the striker's low effort from hitting the net. If it had gone in, it would have been as aesthetically pleasing goal as Oxford have scored in quite some time. Still, with three points on the road, we shouldn't complain too much.

The visitors were perhaps a little sloppy in the final ten minutes with Wycombe a beaten side, but the defence maintained focus to repel everything their opponents had to offer.

Potter twisted his full-back inside-out once more for luck before the referee brought the game to a conclusion. As Wycombe's defender trudged off the pitch, you'd have been forgiven for thinking he had been the one who had walked the 24 miles to the game.

Following the set-back at Rochdale, this was an excellent away day performance. In Wright and Mullins United have a hugely promising centre-back combination and opponents will have to work for their goals. With Whing and Capaldi offering little encouragement outside them, United have a strong base upon which to build.

It is easy to take Peter Leven's influence for granted but the Scottish midfielder had an excellent afternoon. He was calm in possession, opened up spaces for others with simple passes and when the opportunity to play a more risky pass arose, he usually completed it. Alongside him, Chapman actually had a relatively poor game in possession, but we weren't punished for it and his defensive efforts were improved.

With a solid base in midfield, we are giving Potter and Rigg plenty of ball and they are giving opponents a torrid time. Alfie was relentless and gave his physically superior opponent a difficult afternoon. Rigg's assist shouldn't be overlooked and he provides balance on the other wing.

At the top of the pitch, we are seeing the growth of a very impressive two. Constable and Craddock both got on the score-sheet and are linking superbly. As a one (or with one on the wing), neither look as impressive as they are doing at the moment. Constable is showing signs of returning to the Beano of old and Craddock looks a classy striker when he has players in close proximity. If this is the early days of the partnership, Oxford fans have a lot to look forward to.

Referee Neil Swarbrick was one of the better officials at this level. He made it clear early on what was acceptable and there were few complaints about the penalty award (which was at the other end of the field so we can't comment either). Tony Capaldi and Jake Forster-Caskey picked up bookings.

The trick for United will be putting these results in a row but with only five points separating an improving Oxford from the play-off spots, there seems to be some cause for optimism.

Attendance: 5,498

Oxford: 1,800 noisy ones.