Take a look back at Saturday’s draw at Oxford City….
By Matty Paddock - 26/11/2023
Posted 2 years ago
HARRIERS came from 2-0 down to rescue a point in a match they arguably should’ve gone on to win at Oxford City.
Goals from Ashley Hemmings and Amari Morgan-Smith pulled Harriers level after a below-par first half showing left them two goals adrift.
The Reds did begin brightly when Hemmings angled an effort from the edge of the area past the post with just a few minutes gone, another effort being held by goalkeeper Bycroft soon after.
At the break, though, the advantage was squarely with Oxford as they took a two-goal lead.
The first goal came as Penny looked to clear the ball upfield but saw his attempt charged down by the opportunistic Burley who poked the ball into the net.
It was two just seven before the break when Sanderson showed an impeccable touch to take down a long ball, firing it beyond Dibble.
Harriers needed a lifeline, and got one with just a couple of minutes left of the half. A penalty was awarded after the referee spotted a handball in the area, with Hemmings stepping up to put the ball home.
The second period was a more frantic affair – Harriers had more of the chances, but the hosts had a couple of gilt-edged opportunities, too.
Early in the period, Jack Lambert’s angled drive whistled narrowly wide of the upright, before Hemmings arced another one wide.
The equaliser came on 54 minutes. Lambert turned expertly to play in Morgan-Smith who combined beautifully with Hemmings before receiving the ball back and slamming it home off the underside of the bar.
Reiss McNally went close to making it 2-1 four minutes later with a low drive that Bycroft saved well, before Parker shot just inches shy of Dibble’s bottom corner just 90 seconds later.
Byrcoft produced an outstanding save to thwart Hemmings from just six yards after a driven, low Lambert cross into the area, doing even better to paw away a Bailey Hobson effort that looked destined for the bottom corner with seven to play.
Oxford, inside the final minutes, had a free kick over the target and another Sanderson chance that Dibble met with a great one-handed stop.
The final chance of the day came as Hobson set Hemmings away on the break. He got into the area and took aim, but his final shot was over the target.
Get full team line-ups and key match facts at The Match Centre.
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