Oxford Utd 3, Reading 0

TWO more brilliant goals from Joey Beauchamp made it three wins on the spin for in-form Oxford United last night.

Buoyant United despatched Reading with consummate ease in a fiercely competitive local derby to take Malcolm Shotton's record to a remarkable 23 points out of 33.

If you haven't been up to the Manor Ground recently you don't know what you're missing.

The Oxford players are playing out of their skins for their new manager and Beauchamp is simply sensational.

His first goal, which gave United the lead a minute before half-time, was impressive enough . . . a fierce low drive from the edge of the area from Martin Gray's pass.

But his second was, like his 30-yard free-kick against Stoke last Saturday, out of the top drawer.

It came midway through the second half with the home side well on top and pressing hard for a second goal.

Kevin Francis held the ball up, released Les Robinson on an overlap and when Robbo's right-wing cross was headed out by Andy Bernal, Beauchamp pivoted and then executed a spectacular mid-air scissor kick which blasted the ball into the back of the net. Mark Hughes-like. Technically perfect.

It was a joy to behold - unless you were a Reading supporter.

Both teams were clearly fired up and there were several X-rated challenges, one of which left Beauchamp himself needing treatment near the touchline, and six bookings. David Smith went close to putting Oxford in front on five minutes from Jamie Cook's driven cross, the ball striking him on the head and then ballooning over the bar at the London Road end.

And only a brave save by goalkeeper Nick Colgan denied Matt Murphy.

Both sides missed golden opportunities just after the half hour mark.

Phil Gilchrist found himself through on goal after intercepting a misplaced clearance but shot straight at the keeper.

And when the ball came back out, Gilchrist drilled it across goal and Kevin Francis miscued.

Moments later, Reading's Stuart Lovell volleyed across the face of goal from a good position after a cross from James Lambert flicked off Simon Marsh's head.

Beauchamp's opening goal was perfect timing, as it sent the U's in at half-time full of confidence.

And in the second half it was all United, especially after keeper Colgan pulled a thigh muscle and clearly had difficulty in kicking.

Cook, having a fine game, delivered a classy cross which Francis headed straight at the keeper and, from another Cook set-up, Colgan saved from Murphy with his foot.

Beauchamp's acrobatic second goal took his season's tally to 18 and seven minutes later it was 3-0 from another well-worked move.

Beauchamp crossed from the left, Francis headed back and Martin Gray side-footed home as neatly as you could wish.

Long before the end the Reading fans' taunts of "You're Going Bust" were drowned out by the home supporters chanting in return "You're Going Down."

On the field, this Oxford team's very much on the up.

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