Oxford Utd

Oxford give trials to young duo
Oxford have handed trials to youngsters Darren Blewitt and James Graham for the U's reserve match at Luton on Tuesday. Defender Blewitt, 20, came through the Academy ranks at West Ham and has had loan spells at Hereford and Southend. Midfielder Graham is a free agent after being released by Leicester and will feature in the heart of the midfield. Manager Brian Talbot will run the rule over the pair in the reserve match that sees Warren Goodhind makes his first Oxford start since joining on loan.

Coach Oldfield leaves Oxford role
Oxford United first-team coach David Oldfield has left the Kassam Stadium. Oldfield joined the U's as a player in August 2002 before taking on a coaching role the following year. Having previously worked under Ian Atkins, the 37-year-old stayed on following the departure of Atkins to assist current boss Brian Talbot. Oldfield's playing career took in stints as a striker for Manchester City, Luton Town, Leicester City, Stoke and Peterborough.

Stockport 2-1 Oxford United
Adam Le Fondre's late penalty gave Stockport a vital 2-1 win in their battle against the drop, and dragged Oxford further into the mire. Keith Briggs and Matt Hamshaw both went close before Tes Bramble coolly slotted home his fifth goal of the season. Oxford rallied after the break and were rewarded when Tim Sills headed home Chris Hargreaves' far-post cross. But when Jon Ashton fouled Bramble three minutes from time, Le Fondre struck to lift Stockport up to 17th. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stockport: Spencer, Beharall, Clare (Boshell 60), Ashley Williams, Robinson, Briggs, Hamshaw (Ward 70), Allen, Griffin, Bramble, Dickinson (Le Fondre 82). Subs Not Used: Willis, Wolski. Goals: Bramble 21, Le Fondre 87 pen. Oxford Utd: Turley, Goodhind, Ashton, Willmott, Robinson, Basham, Mansell, Hargreaves, Burgess, Sills, Odubade. Subs Not Used: Quinn, Gray, Dempster, Brooks, Clarke. Goals: Sills 61. Att: 4,424 Ref: T Kettle (Berkshire).

Notts County v Oxford United
Notts County can call on striker Dan Chillingworth after his loan deal from Rushden & Diamonds was extended until the end of the season. Striker Steve Scoffham is pushing for a starting place and fellow forward Eugene Dadi is also hoping to feature after recovering from a dead leg. Oxford striker Steve Basham (knee) will undergo a late fitness test after limping off against Bristol Rovers. Eric Sabin (hamstring) and Chris Tardiff (arm) remain sidelined.

Bury v Oxford
Midfielder Dwayne Mattis is Bury's major injury doubt as the Shakers prepare for the visit of Oxford. Mattis is struggling with a hamstring problem but Tom Kennedy could be back after a similar injury.

Oxford snap up teenager Griffiths
Oxford United have signed teenage Doncaster midfielder Anthony Griffiths on loan until the end of the season. Griffiths, 18, has started one senior game for Rovers but will get the chance of first-team football with Oxford. He goes straight into the U's squad for their crucial game with fellow League Two strugglers Bury on Tuesday night. "This is part of his education as he looks to push for a first-team place at Rovers next season," Doncaster boss Dave Penney told his club's website.

Bury 1-1 Oxford
Relegation rivals Bury and Oxford were forced to settle for a point each in a tight affair at Gigg Lane. The hosts took the lead after Colin Marrison was tripped inside the box by Chris Wilmott and Thomas Kennedy stepped up to score the penalty kick. The lead lasted just three minutes after some poor defending allowed Tom Sills to find Andrew Burgess, who made no mistake from close range. Bury's David Challinor and Oxford's Lee Mansell both went close. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bury: Schmeichel, Scott, Challinor, Fitzgerald, Kennedy, Flitcroft, Barry-Murphy, Buchanan (Newby 68), Youngs, Marrison, Daly (Tipton 86). Subs Not Used: Woodthorpe, Brass, Speight. Booked: Flitcroft. Goals: Kennedy 68 pen. Oxford Utd: Turley, Goodhind, Roget, Willmott, Robinson, Mansell, Quinn, Hargreaves, Burgess, Brooks (Odubade 58), Sills. Subs Not Used: Tardif, Ashton, Griffiths, Winters. Goals: Burgess 71. Att: 1,882 Ref: S Mathieson (Cheshire).

Merry completes Oxford takeover
Oxford United chairman Firoz Kassam has announced that he has sold the club, reports Sir Stanley. Kassam has been chairman for seven years, and has sold the League Two club to local businessman Nick Merry in a deal reportedly worth around £2m. Merry heads a group which has lined up former U's boss Jim Smith, 65, for a return to the job - having managed them between 1982 and 1985. "This is a very emotional day for me," Kassam explained in a statement. "I feel very sad to be leaving, but I am pleased for the club and the fans that I have passed it on to footballing people rather than just anyone else. "They now have an option to buy the stadium at an appropriate time, and discussions are ongoing. "I've made sure that people who have previous association with the club, and who have the club's best interests at heart, take over the reins. "When I arrived, the club was in a mess and I'm pleased to hand it over in a stable, clear situation, although our league position is far from ideal. "I hope when things settle, the fans will realise that I always did my best to look after the club and to do the right thing."

Oxford seal loan deal for Smith
Southend midfielder Jay Smith has moved to League Two strugglers Oxford United until the end of the season. The 24-year-old becomes the first signing for new Oxford boss Jim Smith, who took over on Wednesday. Smith is out of contract at Southend in the summer and will want first-team action before the season's end. He joined the Shrimpers on a free transfer in November 2002, but has only played once for Steve Tilson's side since the turn of the year.

Oxford Utd 1-0 Peterborough
Jim Smith enjoyed a winning start to his second spell as Oxford manager as they saw off Peterborough. New signing Tcham N'Toya struck the winner on his debut, hitting an angled shot beyond Mark Tyler in the 67th minute to secure the three points. The margin could have been greater but Tyler made a series of fine saves, in particular from a Steve Basham header. James Quinn had Posh's best chance of getting a leveller, but his long-range effort was saved by Andrea Guatelli. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oxford Utd: Guatelli, Mansell, Willmott, Roget, Robinson, Quinn, Smith, Hargreaves, Burgess (Brooks 86), N'Toya (Horsted 73), Sills (Basham 53). Subs Not Used: Turley, Ashton. Goals: N'Toya 67. Peterborough: Tyler, St. Ledger, Arber, Bolland, Kennedy, Newton, Gain, Carden, Day (Opara 81), Crow, Logan (Quinn 40). Subs Not Used: Harrison, Farrell, Ryan. Booked: Tyler. Att: 7,486. Ref: R Beeby (Northamptonshire).

Gemmill ends short stay at Oxford
Scotland international midfielder Scot Gemmill has curtailed his short stay at Oxford United. Gemmill joined Oxford a fortnight ago as part of the new management and coaching set-up at the Kassam Stadium. The 35-year-old made one substitute's appearance for the U's but has accepted an offer to play in New Zealand. "He wants to carry on playing as long as he can before he turns to coaching and he felt this was the right move," boss Jim Smith told Oxford's website.

Oxford v Chester
Oxford could have five players back with Leo Roget, Jon Ashton and Matthew Robinson, along with midfielder Andy Burgess, all recovered from flu. Eric Sabin (hamstring) made his comeback in the reserves, but Jamie Brooks is out with a virus. Chester have doubts over Tom Curtis and Abdou El-Kholti. Curtis has not featured since picking up a foot problem in the 1-0 defeat by Cheltenham last month, while winger El-Kholti has been suffering from flu.

Awford admits U's deserved defeat
Coach Andy Awford admitted Oxford "didn't really deserve anything" as they were beaten 1-0 by Chester - and drawn nearer to the relegation battle. "The players tried their hardest, but was missing was the belief and the bottle to pass the ball and to open them up," Awford explained. "They were all waiting for each other to do that, and not taking responsibility themselves. "We'll try and put things right in training, and start afresh next week."

Oxford 0-1 Chester
Chester claimed a third successive league victory thanks to Derek Asamoah's first-half strike - his sixth goal in three games. Asamoah beat O's keeper Andrea Guatelli in the 18th minute with a low shot to increase Oxford's relegation worries. The home side were woeful and hardly threatened the Chester goal. Asamoah should have doubled the lead after the break but having raced clear of the Oxford defence, he shot wide of the far post. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oxford Utd: Guatelli, Mansell, Willmott, Dempster, Robinson, Quinn, Smith (Horsted 45), Hargreaves, Burgess, Sabin (Sills 78), Basham (N'Toya 45). Subs Not Used: Turley, Roget. Booked: Hargreaves. Chester: MacKenzie, McNiven, Artell, Hessey, Regan, Albrighton, Drummond, Davies, Asamoah, Blundell (Curtis 67), Edwards (Tait 83). Subs Not Used: Harrison, Stephen Vaughan, Dimech. Booked: Regan, Albrighton. Goals: Asamoah 19. Att: 5,754 Ref: L Probert (Gloucestershire).

Oxford Utd 2-0 Barnet
Oxford scored two goals in one game for the first time since Boxing Day to ease their relegation fears. Congolese striker T'Cham N'Toya opened the scoring after just 41 seconds as Barnet keeper Ross Flitney miscued a clearance straight to the forward. And he struck again in the 25th minute as he controlled Chris Hargreaves's header before calmly firing home. Barnet improved after the break but only had a Paul Warhurst drive to show for their efforts. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oxford Utd: Turley, Quinn, Willmott, Roget, Robinson, Mansell, Hargreaves, Smith (Brooks 82), Sabin (Sills 90), Basham (Burgess 61), N'Toya. Subs Not Used: Guatelli, Dempster. Booked: Smith. Goals: N'Toya 1, 25. Barnet: Flitney, Hendon (Batt 65), Warhurst, Charles, Clist, Fuller, Bailey, Hessenthaler (Sinclair 68), Vernazza, Kandol, Strevens (Hatch 64). Subs Not Used: Reed, King. Att: 6,948 Ref: G Hegley (Hertfordshire).

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