Oxford Utd

Cambridge Utd 0-3 Oxford Utd
Conference pacesetters Oxford made easy work of rivals Cambridge United, with Yemi Odubade twice on the scoresheet in a comfortable victory. In the 27th minute Andrew Burgess fed Odubade from the right, and the striker notched his first from close range. After the break Rufus Brevett crossed for Chris Hargreaves to nod in Oxford's second goal of the game. Barry Quinn then headed against the Cambridge woodwork before Odubade converted a Phil Gilcrist knock down.

Oxford Utd v Aldershot
Oxford United are without Marvin Robinson, who has a knee injury, and the suspended Matt Day. Eddie Hutchinson is hoping for a starting berth after turning down a loan move to Port Vale. Aldershot defender Rhys Day came through a Hampshire Cup match in midweek and could start after recovering from an ankle injury. Marcus Gayle is expected to partner in-form Joel Grant in attack, but Mark Pritchard (knee) is ruled out.

Oxford Utd 2-0 Aldershot
Andy Burgess scored twice as Oxford extended their unbeaten run to 18 league games. Burgess scored from the penalty spot after Chris Oseno fouled Yemi Odubade with 20 minutes left and then struck with a left-footed drive. Shots keeper Nikki Bull had a busy afternoon, saving from Odubade and Eddie Anaclet. But the visitors had their chances as well, with Ryan Williams spurning the best as he missed from six yards. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oxford Utd: Turley, Willmott, Quinn, Gilchrist, Anaclet, Pettefer, Burgess, Hargreaves, Brevett (Johnson 76), Odubade (Hutchinson 88), Duffy (Basham 65). Subs Not Used: Tardif, Dempster. Booked: Hargreaves. Goals: Burgess 74 pen, 84. Aldershot: Bull, Smith, Winfield (Day 21), Edwards, Barnard, Molesley, Oseno, Lee (Soares 78), Williams, Gayle, Joel Grant. Subs Not Used: Wells, Ben Harding, Hudson. Booked: Oseno. Att: 8,185. Ref: G Ward (Kent).

Wycombe v Oxford Utd
Wycombe striker Jermaine Easter is suspended for the match after picking up five yellow cards. Loan players Ricardo Batista and Stephen O'Halloran are ineligible, while Tommy Doherty is banned but Will Antwi is available after suspension. Oxford's Robert Duffy is hoping to play with a special protective cast after fracturing a bone in his hand. Marvin Robinson has recovered from a knee injury while Matt Day is available after serving a one-match ban.

Oxford Utd v Tamworth
Oxford midfielder Rob Duffy is hoping a thermoplastic cast on his broken hand will allow him to return to the squad. Skipper Phil Gilchrist is set to have a scan on his ankle injury but may still play, but Rufus Brevett is doubtful. Experienced Tamworth defender Alan Neilson is doubtful with a calf strain while forward Matt Williams is rated as 50-50 with a groin injury. The Lambs are without utility player Dave Bampton (knee ligament) and defender Michael Touhy (ankle).

Tardif transfer request accepted
Oxford United have accepted a transfer request from goalkeeper Chris Tardif. The 25-year-old has played over 50 games for Oxford since joining the club from Portsmouth in May 2004. But the 25-year-old has been restricted to just one appearance this season with Billy Turley firmly established as the U's number one. Boss Jim Smith told Oxford's website: \"Billy has done so well for us that Chris has had limited chances. I can understand his frustration.\"

Oxford send Slabber back to Grays
Conference leaders Oxford United have decided to end striker Jamie Slabber's loan spell at the Kassam Stadium. United boss Jim Smith has opted against extending the Grays' striker's loan spell into a second month. Former Spurs and Aldershot frontman Slabber failed to score in three appearances for Oxford. The 21-year-old Slabber could have played for Oxford in the FA Trophy on Saturday but has returned to Grays to avoid being cup-tied.

FA Trophy first round details
The 24 Conference National clubs enter the FA Trophy at the first-round stage on Saturday, joining the 40 surviving clubs from the qualifying rounds. One match has already fallen victim to the weather - with the tie between Conference North sides Barrow and Worcester City postponed. With the pitch at Holker Street already waterlogged, it will now be played on Tuesday, 19 December at 1945 GMT. The winners of each first-round tie will receive £4,000. FIRST-ROUND FIXTURES/RESULTS Saturday, 16 December: Aldershot Town v AFC Wimbledon Altrincham v Tamworth Bishop's Stortford v St Albans Braintree Town v Ashford Town Dagenham & Redbridge v Crawley Town Exeter City v Heybridge Swifts Farnborough Town v Bath City Forest Green Rovers v Yeading Gateshead v Burton Albion Halifax Town v Hyde United Harrogate Town v Leigh RMI Havant & Waterlooville v Gravesend & Northfleet Histon v Cambridge United Kettering Town v Stafford Rangers Kidderminster Harriers v Vauxhall Motors Lewes v Oxford United Mangotsfield v King's Lynn Morecambe v York City Newport County v AFC Sudbury Northwich Victoria v Farsley Celtic Nuneaton Borough v Redditch Rushden & Diamonds v Scarborough Salisbury City v Woking Southport v Droylsden Stalybridge Celtic v Hinckley United Stevenage Borough v Merthyr Tydfil Welling United v Basingstoke Town Weston-super-Mare v Evesham Weymouth v Grays Athletic Woodley Sports v Witton Albion Sunday, 17 December Fisher Athletic v Eastbourne Borough Tuesday, 19 December Barrow v Worcester City

Oxford 0-0 Woking
An all-time Conference record crowd of 11,065 saw Woking keeper Shwan Jawal produce a succession of fine saves. Jim Smith's side had the better chances but could not find an elusive goal against a resilient Woking side. Eddie Hutchinson had a good chance to open the scoring just after half-time but saw his goalbound header from just inside the six-yard box tipped over. Woking's best chance came when Jamie Taylor saw his shot tipped round the post by Oxford keeper Billy Turley. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oxford Utd: Turley, Day, Quinn, Gilchrist, Anaclet, Pettefer, Dempster (Hutchinson 46), Burgess, Brevett, Basham (Odubade 46), Duffy, Hutchinson (Hargreaves 90). Subs Not Used: Tardif, Johnson. Booked: Duffy. Woking: Jalal, Murray, Hutchinson, MacDonald, Bunce, Lambu, Smith, Evans, Sole, McAllister (Ferguson 81), Taylor. Subs Not Used: Poke, Sharpling, Oyedele, Ruby. Booked: Hutchinson, Lambu. Att: 11,065 Ref: O Langford (Darlaston).

Oxford 0-0 Woking
An all-time Conference record crowd of 11,065 saw Woking keeper Shwan Jawal produce a succession of fine saves. Jim Smith's side had the better chances but could not find an elusive goal against a resilient Woking side. Eddie Hutchinson had a good chance to open the scoring just after half-time but saw his goalbound header from just inside the six-yard box tipped over. Woking's best chance came when Jamie Taylor saw his shot tipped round the post by Oxford keeper Billy Turley. Oxford Utd: Turley, Day, Quinn, Gilchrist, Anaclet, Pettefer, Dempster (Hutchinson 46), Burgess, Brevett, Basham (Odubade 46), Duffy, Hutchinson (Hargreaves 90). Subs Not Used: Tardif, Johnson. Booked: Duffy. Woking: Jalal, Murray, Hutchinson, MacDonald, Bunce, Lambu, Smith, Evans, Sole, McAllister (Ferguson 81), Taylor. Subs Not Used: Poke, Sharpling, Oyedele, Ruby. Booked: Hutchinson, Lambu. Att: 11,065 Ref: O Langford (Darlaston).

Exeter v Oxford Utd
Exeter will wait on the fitness of strikers Adam Stansfield and Lee Phillips ahead of Oxford's visit. Danny Woodards could keep his place at right-back in place of Patrick Ada, while Dean Moxey could play after scoring against St Albans on Saturday. Oxford will give a late fitness test to Eddie Hutchinson who failed to shake off a knock in time for the match with Crawley at the weekend. Rufus Brevett should start in place of Gavin Johnson.

Oxford bring in Man Utd teenager
Oxford United have signed Manchester United midfielder Danny Rose on loan, reports SSB. The 19-year-old has been recommended to Oxford boss Jim Smith by Sir Alex Ferguson and moves initially for a month, but that could be extended. Rose said: "I'm definitely excited because it's my first loan move. "I'm looking to gain as much experience as I can in the lower leagues, and looking forward to working with Jim Smith and the rest of the players."

Smith looks for a return to form
Oxford boss Jim Smith is looking for a return to winning ways after their 1-0 defeat at Woking left them six points behind Conference leaders Dagenham. He said: "You don't want a blip at any time, but we've had a big blip. But we know what we've got to do now. "We have not really had a losing run, we have had a drawing run. But it's when you start losing - that's when it hurts you more. "And that's what we've got to overcome, very, very quickly," Smith added.

Patterson named as Oxford coach
Oxford United have promoted former captain Darren Patterson to the position of first-team coach. He had been youth team coach for the past four years and replaces Andy Awford who has left the club along with reserve team coach Shaun North. Boss Jim Smith told the club website: "Darren has proven his commitment long-term to the club and his coaching skills are of the highest quality." Patterson, 37, ended his playing career with Oxford. He had earlier spells with Luton, Crystal Palace and Wigan.

Oxford manager relieved after win
Oxford United boss Jim Smith admitted his relief after his side put one foot in the play-offs with Monday's 4-1 win over Weymouth. A first win in five games kept Oxford in second spot with a seven-point cushion inside the play-off zone. Smith said: "It's a massive relief, for me, for the players and for the fans. "We've taken a big stride towards securing a play-off place. Others chasing have got a lot to do now to catch us."

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