Luke's Football blog

Oxford come into this game as the underdogs as they started last week just outside the playoffs, but with results going their way, they managed to finish in fifth place after an amazing start under Liam Manning which saw them in the automatic spot. They were looking favourites to go up, but he was soon poached by Bristol City they replaced him with Des Buckingham, who managed to take them down the League, but recent form got back in the playoffs.

For Peterborough, they are looking for a second trophy to add to the EFL cup they won against Wycombe at Wembley 2-1. They want to put last year’s embarrassment past them after bottling a 4-0 lead in the first leg and with experienced managed Darren Ferguson who knows the club inside out, he will hope to get them over the line this year and win his second trophy this season.

First Half 

Oxford would have the first opportunity on target as Reuben Rodrigues hit his half volley comfortably at the Peterborough goalkeeper. Oxford will hope to have more of these chances as they want to test the quality Peterborough defence who have been hard to get past.

The game has been tight so far with both teams looking to find the killer edge to give them the lead in this game both Josh Murphy and Epsom Mason-Clark have been key for their clubs so far as they both look dangerous on the counter with their bags of pace and prowess.

It’s been a quiet game so far with chances coming of note, however Oxford are lucky to not be a man down as Joe Bennett lunged in with a horrible tackle and if VAR was included in this game, he would surely be off as it was a terrible challenge that could’ve injured the Peterborough player badly. 

It was a boring half of football with the home side coming close to taking the lead in this game. The Oxford manager will be pleased with his side as they are starting to apply more pressure onto the Peterborough defence whilst the Peterborough manager will want more from his side, especially in the attacking area, as they are lacking in chances so far in this game.

Second Half

Peterborough started the strongest side this half with Kwame Poku coming close from outside the box, however it would be the home side who would take the lead from a Brannagan corner Elliott Moore was there to rise above his marker to score his second goal of the season and give his side the lead in the first leg.

Peterborough looked much better in the second half, but Oxford defended so well, stopping the threat of the deadly Peterborough attack so far, but can they keep it up or will Peterborough find the equalizer late on, as Oxford sit back to defend the lead they have with their fans behind them.

Des Buckingham got his game plan right just to sit in and play on the counter and dominate set pieces, which has worked well, and he will have the confidence going into the second leg if they can execute the game plan again, which has worked perfectly for his side today.

Oxford have the edge now with a massive win over the favourites in this game, and they will hope to defend their lead as they play away against Peterborough in the second leg. The game plan was executed to perfection, and now they will feel more confident that they can get a result in the second leg to take them to Wembley.

Peterborough were strong in the second half, but it just wasn’t enough. They will want to improve for the second leg at home and try to get a result to take them to Wembley and a possibly second trophy and promotion to the second division.