Five matches survive in the North and South
JAMES Roberts and Harvey Bradbury both scored doubles as Oxford City scored four at home for the second time in a week, this time against Chelmsford City.
Chelmsford started quickly and earned a freekick right on the edge of the area within the opening 90 seconds. Tom Wraight stood over the effort but could only fire it into the wall.
It took ten minutes for the Hoops to really force their first efforts of the match. A cross from the left saw Aaron Drewe force a fine save from Lee Worgan from point-blank range. However, the Hoops were able to recycle the rebound, finding its way to Roberts on the right who took a touch before firing on the half volley past the Clarets’ keeper and into the net.
The Clarets looked to get themselves back level almost immediately as Adam Morgan had an effort on his left foot from just inside the box, forcing Ben Dudzinski to catch down to his right.
Just a minute later, Morgan had an almost identical effort – this time with more power – forcing Dudzinski to push wide this time.
The visitors kept piling men forward, and Jake Cass rattled the crossbar as his header from Morgan’s corner nearly drew the scores level.
However, the Hoops would go on to all-but seal the match with two goals in almost as many minutes. Following a Josh Ashby challenge on Callum Harrison, that the referee deemed fair, the Hoops broke forward through Alfie Potter, who slipped the ball into the centre for Bradbury to fire home.
Two minutes later, and it was Potter again who burst down the right and got a ball across goal again, this time finding Roberts, who once again made no mistake as he slipped it past Worgan.
Bradbury joined Roberts with a double ten minutes into the second half, as he was able to cut out a poor back-pass, confidently firing past the Clarets’ stopper.
Both of City’s frontmen had chances for their hattricks, Roberts seeing a fierce effort brilliantly blocked on the line by Chez Isaac, while Bradbury was not quite able to control a ball in from the right following another City break.
The Clarets would end up with a deserved reward for their efforts as Simeon Jackson grabbed a debut goal in added time. Following a block from Luis Fernandez, the ball fell to the striker who calmly lofted the ball over Dudzinski into the back of the net.
Oxford City skipper Joe Oastler said: “It was a professional performance and we controlled large parts of the match.
“We pride ourselves on clean-sheets, so we were a little bit disappointed at the end, but it was a good performance.”
Manager David Oldfield added: “It was a good win against a strong side. We managed to get the goals at the right times, and it was a pleasing performance.”
STAR MAN: James Roberts (Oxford C)
ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★
REFEREE: Matthew Scholes