League Two Oxford knock out Swansea

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10 Jan 2016

By Marc Higginson BSports

Kemar Roofe scored twice as League Two Oxford knocked Premier League strugglers Swansea out of the FA Cup.

The in-form hosts recovered from Jefferson Montero's sublime strike to score either side of half-time.

Liam Sercombe levelled from the penalty spot before Roofe curled into the bottom corner from 20 yards.

And Roofe finished off a counter-attack to ensure Oxford reached the fourth round for the first time in 17 years, despite a Bafetimbi Gomis strike.

Swansea's rally came too late and the home side fully deserved their place in the next round following a vibrant performance.

The U's are third in League Two and a number of their young players impressed against a Swansea team that surrendered possession too often and looked shaky at the back in the absence of skipper Ashley Williams.

Oxford became the first fourth-tier side to eliminate Premier League opposition from the FA Cup since Swindon beat Wigan in January 2012 (though non-league Luton beat Norwich in 2013)

What it means for Oxford

Michael Appleton's side are already regarded as one of the best teams in their division, and a cup run is likely to further strengthen their promotion push.

Appleton, a former Portsmouth, Blackpool and Blackburn manager, has been promised 50% of the gate receipts generated from the tie for player recruitment.

More than 11,600 supporters packed into the 12,500-capacity Kassam Stadium, guaranteeing a sizeable pay day for the promotion chasers.

Even when under some late pressure, they refused to go long, and in ball-playing John Lundstram, the pacy Roofe and midfield schemer Sercombe they have players who will surely interest clubs from higher divisions.

Oxford's John Lundstram, left, joined from Everton in the summer and he produced an accomplished midfield display - making more passes and winning more tackles than any of his team-mates, while making four interceptions and winning the ball back 12 times in total

Oxford's John Lundstram (left) produced an accomplished midfield display - making more passes and winning more tackles than any of his team-mates, while making four interceptions and winning the ball back 12 times

Swansea swept away

There was little to cheer for the visitors, who looked to have weathered some early pressure when they took the lead against the run of play from Montero's backheel after a clever one-two with Marvin Emnes.

Alan Curtis' side felt aggrieved at Oxford's leveller - McDonald tumbling without any real contact from Kyle Bartley - but the challenge was reckless and epitomised the muddled nature of some of Swansea's play.

It was desperate stuff - Jonjo Shelvey continually firing long-range shots over the bar - and more slack defending allowed Roofe time to cut inside and bury a fine finish into the bottom corner.

Again, for Oxford's third, the Swansea defence could have done better as the impressive Roofe knocked the ball past Jordi Amat and raced through to finish.

There was a late rally following a Gomis goal laid on by Jack Cork, but the sheer desperation about the Premier League side will be a concern ahead of stiffer tests in the top flight.

The last time Oxford reached the fourth round of the FA Cup they were eliminated by Chelsea

What they said

Oxford manager Michael Appleton: "I've got to be delighted beating a Premier League side - but not just that, it's the way we did it.

"I think a few people fancied us beforehand and I did too but we also wanted to play the same way we've been doing it all season and play with no fear.

"I've been saying since the start of the season that we've got three or four players who could play at a higher level and Kemar Roofe is one of them.

"But sometimes as a player you want to be at a football club that is also playing to your potential and hopefully they can achieve the success they want here.

"We need more days and nights like this."

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Michael Appleton hails 'outstanding' Oxford performance

Swansea manager Alan Curtis: "We made changes and there was a certain amount of rustiness but I am disappointed. We were poor for the first hour of the game.

"The team we picked was strong enough to win, but all credit to Oxford. They were the better team and deserved to win.

"The league was always going to be the priority but we wanted a cup run and to get some momentum going. It's a huge setback for the club."

What next?

Swansea, who made 10 changes, can now focus on Premier League survival, starting with a home game against fellow strugglers Sunderland on Wednesday.

Oxford, who have a four-point cushion in the automatic promotion places in League Two, face Millwall in the first leg of the Football League Trophy area final on Thursday.

Lineup, Bookings (4) & Substitutions (5)

Oxford United

01 Slocombe
02 Baldock
05 Mullins
06 Wright
03 Skarz
11 MacDonald (O'Dowda - 71' )
08 Sercombe
18 Lundstram
28 Maguire
20 Taylor (Hylton - 80' )
04 Roofe (Hoban - 90' )

Substitutes

09 Hoban
10 Hylton
13 Buchel
14 Ruffels
15 O'Dowda
33 Dunkley
36 Evans

Swansea City

13 Nordfeldt
32 Shephard
27 Bartley
02 Amat Booked
14 Tabanou Booked (Kingsley - 60' )
24 Cork
21 Grimes Booked (Barrow - 76' )
11 Emnes
08 Shelvey Booked
20 Montero
18 Gomis

Substitutes

17 Éder
25 Tremmel
35 Kingsley
51 James
56 Fulton
58 Barrow
61 Rodon

Ref: Kevin Friend

Att: 11,673

Match Stats

Possession 43 57

Shots

16 15

On target

9 6

Corners

9 5

Fouls

12 10

Live Text Commentary

Full time

Full Time Match ends, Oxford United 3, Swansea City 2.

90:00 +5:05 Full time

Full Time Second Half ends, Oxford United 3, Swansea City 2.

90:00 +4:36

Corner, Oxford United. Conceded by Jack Cork.

90:00 +3:58

Attempt blocked. Jordi Amat (Swansea City) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

90:00 +3:20

Corner, Swansea City. Conceded by John Lundstram.

90:00 +0:09

Offside, Oxford United. Danny Hylton tries a through ball, but George Baldock is caught offside.

89:04 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Oxford United. Pat Hoban replaces Kemar Roofe.