Taylor's early goal against Shrewsbury Town was negated by Ryan Bowman's return shot at the end of the hour, but then Brannagan was accurate from the 11-meter mark with eight minutes left in regulation time. United scored 68 points and became one step closer to their third consecutive playoff breakthrough at the end of the regular season. There are still eight more rounds left in the current championship.
Two years ago, around the same date, the away game at Shrewsbury suddenly proved to be the last game of the regular season and the deciding factor in the playoff spot. Shortly after that dramatic victory, the coronavirus shut down soccer not only in the British Isles but almost all over the world for a long time. And while eSports was able to hold online tournaments and fans could bet on them at gg.bet/en/esports, soccer did not have that luxury.
And even now, two years later, Covid-19 continues to make its impact. Oxford's Jack Stevens, Sam Long and Kieron Brown were unable to participate in this game due to illness. A goalkeeper and two defenders – what a neat hit exactly in the back line, wasn't it? Even John Mouzinho, long on his retirement, had to come out in the center of defense. For the captain, it seemed to be his first start in a League One match since December 2020. Simon Eastwood took over in goal and Steve Seddon, who is not entirely blameless at left fullback either.
Added to these unfortunate setbacks was the injury to Sam Baldock, who, at the start of his Oxford career, scored 4 goals in 5 games. First, he had to stand his ground defensively as Mouzinho blocked a chest shot, but Seddon's forearm got in the way of the shot. Probably lucky that the referee's whistle was silent. In this respect, soccer is also different from eSportswhich can be found on https://gg.bet/en/esports. The influence of referees on the results of eSports athletes is not as great as in soccer or hockey, where a wrong decision can ruin everything.
In the 11th minute, the guests scored, and Taylor did it with his 21st goal of the season. With a great pass, Herbie Kane unleashed an attacking move which allowed Gavin White to burst into the penalty area. He couldn't get the ball past goalkeeper Marco Marosi, but the rebound was well placed for Taylor's shot into an empty net.
Kane continued to be the powerhouse throughout the first half hour of the game, but the Shrews were excellent physically and gradually began to cut off the defender's oxygen. The visitors were especially threatening from set-pieces. After one of the corner kicks on 23 minutes, Ethan Ebanks-Lundell won the fight in the air but Eastwood reacted in an incredible fashion.
United were careful not to commit similar errors on set-pieces thereafter. Luke McNally has had to grow up very quickly this season, and is already taking the burden of leadership in all parts of the field. The Irishman's battle with Daniel Udo was a particular highlight, and the defender eventually managed to neutralize Shrewsbury's main strike force.
The 2nd half began with an early chance from Ryan Williams, but rushing in from the far side, he failed to adjust to a ball that was at an awkward height. United then interrupted their usual sequence of scoring chances which, at the end of an hour's play, was exploited by the Shrews, who converted their first real chance of the half. Elliott Bennett dashed down the right flank into the penalty box and then fired a shot into the net where Bowman right-footed the ball to level the score.
Salop smelled blood and created a series of corners and passes, but United managed to keep their ship in the balance. Once again this season, a way was found to win such a tight game.
Billy Bodine came off the bench, back from injury, and nearly set up a goal for the hard-working Brannagan, but Matthew Pennington managed to slip in a timely tackle. With eight minutes left in regular time, Pennington was nowhere to be found. Williams, who raced from his own half to the opposing half every game, somehow found the strength to make one more run into the penalty box, where a barrier was placed in front of him. Referee Andy Davis pointed to the penalty spot, and Brannagan did the rest, scoring his 13th goal of the season.
Someday Oxford will learn to win at Shrewsbury without drama, but that will be a different story. Three points, earned despite all the personnel adversity. The 1,200 fans who witnessed this triumph.
