Match Report


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Match Report
The air is damp with a fine drizzle here at Kassam Stadium where Oxford United play host to Brighton and Hove Albion. A crowd of 18,561 fill this 21,000 capacity stadium.
The pitch is in good condition.
Oxford United are playing in a 4-3-3 formation while Brighton and Hove Albion appear to be shaped for 3-4-3.
Today's match is refereed by Niccolo Pallister.


0.00
Brighton and Hove Albion start the game by kicking off the first half!
8.47
Kew Meijndershagen knocks the ball forward to David Lopes. David Lopes surges forward with the ball. David Lopes whips in a cross ball towards Jose Campos. With a superhuman jump, Jose Campos connects with the ball and heads it goalwards. Ernesto Soto easily punches it away to safety.
15.19
Nicholas Goldberg makes a probing pass to David Lopes. David Lopes knocks in a cross ball but it is headed clear by Ali Danic.
18.23
Juan-Carlos Merino clumsily knocks into Abdelmalek Pardeilhan. The referee warns Juan-Carlos Merino to calm down! Abdelmalek Pardeilhan hobbles a bit, but should be okay.
20.30
Ahmed Van Der Weerden takes it forward alone. Ahmed Van Der Weerden controls the ball perfectly and tries a long range shot on goal. It curls slightly but Ernesto Soto manages to gather it effortlessly.
22.37
Godwin Ikpeba makes a strong solo run forward. Godwin Ikpeba threads the ball through to Arno Ritzinger. Arno Ritzinger shoots from 25 yards. Superb reactions from Eben Dugbatey. What a save!
24.31
Ahmed Van Der Weerden makes a beautiful pass to the feet of David Lopes. David Lopes makes a beautiful pass to the feet of Jose Campos. Jose Campos knocks the ball forward to Kevin Morrison but the linesmans flag is up. Offside!
27.55
David Lopes barges into Albert Ruiz. David Lopes is warned by the referee! Albert Ruiz hobbles a bit, but should be okay.
28.09
Juan-Carlos Merino kicks a strong pass forward to Gavin Allman. Gavin Allman lofts in a cross ball towards Jason Unsworth. Jason Unsworth outjumps his marker and heads the ball goalward. The ball clips the outside of the post and goes out!
33.39
Ahmed Van Der Weerden makes a beautiful pass to the feet of Jean Chr. Tourenne. Jean Chr. Tourenne whips in a cross ball towards Jose Campos. Jose Campos finds space and glances the ball goalwards with his head. The keeper is more than a match for it. Great keeping!
36.28
Miguel Delgado catches Denis Roche on the ankles. The referee calls over Miguel Delgado and warns him to calm down! Denis Roche runs off the knock.
38.13
Seeing a gap ahead, Ahmed Van Der Weerden plays the ball forward to Jose Campos. Jose Campos shoots from 25 yards. Good keeping from Ernesto Soto as he gets his fingers to the ball and pushes it wide.
39.00
Corner kick to Oxford United. Ahmed Van Der Weerden plays it short to Miguel Delgado. Miguel Delgado flicks the ball on with his first touch. Jean Chr. Tourenne cuts inside the defence and shoots at goal but it flies well off target!
42.58
Arno Ritzinger sees Gavin Mccall in space ahead and quickly passes the ball. Gavin Mccall shoots from distance but somehow Eben Dugbatey manages to keep it out.
45.00
The whistle indicates the end of the first half!

Both teams emerge for the second half. Oxford United appear unchanged since the first half. Brighton and Hove Albion also appear unchanged since the first half. The Oxford United players look more determined than they did at the start of the game.

45.00
Oxford United kick off!
47.04
Godwin Ikpeba controls the ball well before passing to his team mate, Jason Unsworth. Jason Unsworth runs deep into the other half of the pitch. Jason Unsworth whips in a cross ball towards Juan-Carlos Merino. Juan-Carlos Merino knocks the ball goalwards with his head. The ball flies into the top corner - goal!!
51.04
Abdelmalek Pardeilhan deftly passes the ball to his team mate, Kevin Morrison. Kevin Morrison shoots from long range but it flies just wide!
55.33
Arno Ritzinger passes the ball forward to Gavin Mccall. Gavin Mccall flicks a high pass forward. Gavin Allman controls it well on his chest and turns goalwards. Gavin Allman looks for support before firing off a hurried shot at goal but he balloons it over the crossbar!
60.29
Jason Unsworth hacks Ahmed Van Der Weerden from behind! Jason Unsworth is given a warning by the referee! Ahmed Van Der Weerden hobbles a bit, but should be okay.
65.31
With vision, Miguel Delgado plays the ball forward to Kevin Morrison. Kevin Morrison controls the ball perfectly and tries a long range shot on goal but it curls horrendously wide!
67.34
Godwin Ikpeba flicks the ball to his team mate, Gavin Allman. Gavin Allman plays a sublime one-two with Gavin Mccall and races in on goal... Sebastian Barkero comes in with a late challenge on Gavin Allman. That's got to be a penalty! No, the referee isn't even looking in that direction!!
69.28
Arno Ritzinger threads a neat ball through to Jason Unsworth. Jason Unsworth knocks in a cross ball which is cleared by the defence.
75.34
Nicholas Goldberg flicks a high pass forward. Ahmed Van Der Weerden collects the pass. Seeing a gap ahead, Ahmed Van Der Weerden plays the ball forward to Miguel Delgado. Miguel Delgado plays a scrappy one-two with Jean Chr. Tourenne and advances towards the goal... Some clumsy but lucky footwork from Miguel Delgado provides some space. He scuffs the ball at goal. The ball dips but the keeper is more than a match for it. Fabulous save!
77.41
Jason Unsworth flicks a high ball forward to Arno Ritzinger who takes it down. Arno Ritzinger advances inside the box! Arno Ritzinger looks for support before firing off a hurried shot at goal. The ball rattles the crossbar bouncing back into play. The loose ball is cleared by the defence.
81.32
Denis Roche takes it forward alone. Denis Roche passes the ball forward to Juan-Carlos Merino. Juan-Carlos Merino threads a neat, attacking ball through to Arno Ritzinger. Arno Ritzinger side-steps and rifles a shot at goal. The ball comes in low, but Eben Dugbatey effortlessly smothers it!
84.52
Nicholas Goldberg sees Miguel Delgado in space ahead and quickly passes the ball. Miguel Delgado runs straight at the defence! Miguel Delgado cuts inside onto his preferred left foot and rushes a shot at goal but is denied by Ernesto Soto. Excellent save.
85.36
Gavin Allman flicks a high pass forward. Juan-Carlos Merino controls it well on his chest. Juan-Carlos Merino cuts inside the box! Juan-Carlos Merino side-steps and rifles a shot at goal which easily beats the keeper. Goal!!
90.00
The referee blows the final whistle

Match Statistics
Goals
0
2
Shots on Target
6
5
Shots off Target
3
3
Offsides
1
1
Fouls
2
2
Yellow Cards
0
0
Red Cards
0
0

Possession
44.4%
55.6%
Play Area
28.4%
49.4%
22.2%

Scorers

Man of the Match
The man of the match was awarded to Juan-Carlos Merino of Brighton and Hove Albion

Match Ratings
1.Ernesto Soto (GK)
8
2.Ali Danic (DEF)
6
3.Godwin Ikpeba (DEF)
6
4.Denis Roche (DEF)
6
5.Albert Ruiz (MID)
6
6.Arno Ritzinger (MID)
7
7.Jason Unsworth (MID)
7
8.Paul McStay (MID)
6
9.Gavin Mccall (ATT)
6
10.Juan-Carlos Merino (ATT)goal scoredgoal scored
9
11.Gavin Allman (ATT)
7
 
12.Gary Souness (MID)
0
13.Antonio Fonseca (MID)
0
14.Mario Jardim (ATT)
0