Luke McNally wins a header against Wigan Athletic Picture: Simon Hall
EVERYONE reading this fell in love with football because of how it makes them feel.
The game is all about emotion. The highs leave you grinning for days, the lows cut deep.
Sometimes it does not need to be a promotion-win or a cup final, but a single moment that captures everything you love about the sport.
For me, Oxford United’s goal at Wigan Athletic was that moment. The panic when you worried Mark Sykes had given the ball away in a dangerous area, followed by the relief when he retrieved the ball.
WATCH: Highlights of last night’s game
From then on, it was the perfect goal. The U’s combined pace, movement and clinical ruthlessness in a matter of seconds that ended in Matty Taylor driving a finish high into the net.
It was my goal of the season so far and might not be beaten, but it was encouraging to see United show the other side to them at the DW Stadium.
The U’s have now drawn at Ipswich Town, Sunderland and Wigan and the common theme of all three matches was the home fans’ frustration at their opponents’ game management.
You hate it when it happens to you, but it is necessary for getting out of a competitive Sky Bet League One.
Of course, it means nothing if you cannot defend and United stood firm as Wigan’s superiority grew the longer the game went on.
Elliott Moore was outstanding, while center back partner Luke McNally again stood up to the best League One has to offer.
Also read: Karl Robinson on Oxford United ‘coming of age’ and Jordan Thorniley
Karl Robinson probably did not intend for the Irishman to be first-choice for a promotion charge, but you cannot drop him – and why would you?
Wigan regularly play 4-2-3-1 so maybe it wasn’t a huge surprise to see United stick with the formation they started with against Sheffield Wednesday and Gillingham.
It was a shame Billy Bodin did not stay in the central attacking role after two very good performances and he was less influential, perhaps unsurprisingly.
Meanwhile, a team of Wigan’s quality do not need many chances and their goal was a collective lapse in concentration from United.
Story continues
The U’s neither pressed nor sat off the Latics back three and they gave Max Power far too much space to pick a pass, while it looked like Steve Seddon was caught napping as Callum Lang stole in behind.
As the second half wore on you feared Wigan would find a winner due to the quality of their reinforcements.
RATINGS: Every Oxford United player marked out of 10
Josh Magennis and Gwion Edwards would walk into most League One sides, but the U’s rolled up their sleeves and kept them at bay. We have not always been able to say that about them.
United continue to pick up points against League One’s high-fliers even if they do not win often, while their record against bottom-half teams is very good.
It shows where they are in the promotion picture. Rotherham United and Wigan seem good bets for the top two and I think Wycombe Wanderers have the guile to run them close.
Below that, the U’s are among a collection of teams who look capable of finishing in the play-off places.
If they can keep picking up valuable points like the one last night it will certainly strengthen their case.
