Rotherham 2-3 Oxford Utd- Match Report


Oxford pile misery on Rotherham after FA Cup win at the New York Stadium

Rotherham were dealt yet more misery after being dumped out of the FA Cup 3-2 by Oxford.

The first ever meeting between the two sides in the competition went the way of the League One visitors thanks to goals from Ryan Taylor, Phil Edwards and Kane Hemmings

Former Rotherham man Chris Maguire also missed a first half penalty.

Danny Ward had equalised in the second half for the Championship's bottom side and despite Tom Adeyemi's late header they exited to boos at the New York Stadium.

The first chance fell to Ward who dragged wide from the left hand side of the box after being slipped in by Joe Newell.

Oxford responded with left-back Marvin Johnson charging with the ball from within his own half and having his shot tipped just over the bar from 20 yards out.

Two former Rotherham players then combined for a great chance

Taylor's backheel flick set Maguire free on goal but the Scot put his effort wide of Lewis Price's post.

Joe Mattock denied another chance for the visitors as he nicked the ball away from Alex MacDonald after Taylor had led a rapid counter-attack.

Oxford had a big chance to go in front on 36 minutes after Taylor outsmarted Kirk Broadfoot in the box and was brought down for a penalty.

But Lewis Price guessed the right way to push out Maguire's spotkick.

The visitors did go in front before the break, though, with the lively Taylor turning in a cross from Robert Hall on 41 minutes.

It took just five minutes of the second half for Rotherham to level, with Ward unexpectedly getting control of the ball in the box before finishing emphatically into the top corner.

The home side grew in confidence following the goal and the introduction of Jerry Yates from the bench also helped

The young striker teed up Will Vaulks who forced a save from Eastwood.

Ward blasted a swerving effort just over from the edge of the box before Vaulks' long-range effort ricocheted off the post.

Goalkeeper Simon Eastwood then denied Ward after the striker held off Chey Dunkley before firing an effort at the near post.

Oxford were still posing a threat and went back in front on 80 minutes.

Substitute Liam Sercombe forced a diving save from Price and from the resulting corner Edwards headed in unchallenged.

Substitute Hemmings extended the lead on 88 minutes after he tapped in from Johnson's cross.

Adeyemi gave Rotherham hopes of earning a replay in the 90th minute when he headed in Newell's centre.

Oxford came closest to netting in added on time but Hemmings could not get enough of a touch on Johnson's pass.


Source : PA

Source: PA