OXFORD UNITED 2, CREWE ALEXANDRA 1
March 19, 2011
JAMES Constable’s double downed Crewe Alexandra to move Oxford United to within two points of the League Two play-off places.
The striker celebrated his recall to the side with a goal in each half, before substitute Ajay Leitch-Smith netted a consolation in stoppage time.
It was a welcome return to form for United’s talisman, who had not scored since February 1.
Crewe, appearing at the Kassam Stadium for the first time, looked to play football from the off and it made for a contest that was easy on the eye.
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Constable fired wide early on, before Ryan Clarke turned Shaun Miller’s effort around the post.
The away side should have taken the lead when an unmarked Adam Dugdale headed wide from eight yards out and they were made to rue the miss after half an hour.
Constable and Craddock appeared to get in each other’s way on the edge of the penalty area, but United’s No 9 took control and drilled home a low shot.
The U’s grew in confidence after the goal and they doubled the lead midway through the second half.
Ryan Burge’s deft pass found Constable in the box and the striker outmuscled a defender before firing past goalkeeper Rhys Taylor.
United held on to put pressure on the top seven with eight games of the season left, despite Leitch-Smith’s late strike.
Oxford Utd: Clarke, Batt, Worley, Wright, Tonkin, Heslop, McLaren (Payne 61), Burge, MacLean, Constable, Craddock (Potter 61).
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