OXFORD United began 2024 with a late New Year’s Day win at Charlton Athletic.

Mark Harris equalised after Chem Campbell had given the home side an early lead, before Oisin Smyth bagged a wonder strike from 30 yards in the final five minutes.

Here, we take a look at the key talking points from the game.

Formation tweak

Injuries to wingers Tyler Goodrham and Stan Mills, on top of those to Marcus Browne, Kyle Edwards and Josh Murphy, meant United head coach Des Buckingham had to change the U’s shape at The Valley.

Mills was fit enough to make the bench, with Buckingham switching to a 3-4-2-1 system.

Smyth came into the side and played on the right of the back three, with Josh McEachran and Marcus McGuane sitting in front of the defence.

The formation allowed Cameron Brannagan and Ruben Rodrigues to get high up the pitch, in support of Harris up front.

When United were out of possession, wing backs Joe Bennett and Fin Stevens dropped back to create a five-man defence.

Smyth wonder goal

It was a New Year’s Day to remember for Smyth, who was only drafted into the starting line-up late on after Jordan Thorniley woke up with a spasm in his back during the morning of the game.

Smyth though, who has played at centre back for Northern Ireland Under-21s, and at right back for the U’s this season, didn’t look out of place.

The midfielder was making his first league start of the season for United, and took his goal superbly well, finding his range from 30 yards out to smash the ball past home goalkeeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer.

It was his first goal for the U’s, and capped an afternoon to remember in the capital.

Oxford Mail:

Confident Harris

When he equalised midway through the first half, Harris netted his first league goal since he scored twice in the 2-1 win at Derby County on August 15.

It’s been a tough time for the Welsh striker, who rather than being guilty of missing chances, has had the service into him dry up more than anything.

Harris has continued to work hard for the team, leading the press and stretching defences with his runs off the ball.

His hold-up play has also improved in recent weeks, and on New Year’s Day, he showed a striker’s instinct by attacking the near post to finish Stevens’ low cross first time.

From that moment on, the shackles seemed to come off and Harris tested Maynard-Brewer with a header and effort he created himself from the edge of the box.

Win on the road

The victory at The Valley was Buckingham’s first league win away from home since becoming head coach.

United beat Forest Green Rovers on their own patch in the EFL Trophy, but league form on the road hasn’t matched the home form.

Defeats at Cheltenham Town, Peterborough United and Northampton Town – with the draw at Reading too – mean Buckingham had suffered a sticky away record.

The win at Charlton will hopefully be the catalyst for more results on the road, especially as the next three fixtures are all away from home.