The Sky Blues claim all three points against Oxford after a sublime strike from 19-year old Stevenson...
The Sky Blues earned an all-important three points in an impressive display against the U's, as they maintained their unbeaten home run.
Ben Stevenson scored his first senior goal with a fantastic long-range effort, before a mix-up in the Oxford defence allowed Marvin Sordell the easiest of finishes to double the advantage. Arsenal loanee Dan Crowley pulled a late goal back for the visitors, but City held on for the win.
City began quickly and nearly made the perfect start to the game. Gael Bigirimana slipped a ball through to Ruben Lameiras, who pulled it back to the six yard box for Sordell, but the striker’s effort was well saved by Oxford ‘keeper Simon Eastwood.
The visitors’ first sight at goal came courtesy of ex-Sky Blue Chris Maguire as he hit a swirling long-range effort towards Lee Burge in the City goal, but the ‘keeper was equal to it, palming it away to safety.
The visitors came close to taking the lead from a set piece. The tireless Maguire whipped in an inviting ball, central defender Chey Dunkley got there ahead of Burge and rattled the crossbar, while on the follow up Phil Edwards blazed over the bar.
Soon after the Sky Blues took the lead through a special strike from midfielder Stevenson. The 19-year old picked up the ball 30 yards from goal before driving forward and unleashing an unstoppable shot into the top corner, marking a man of the match performance in style.
City continued to push forward in search of that all-important second goal. Daniel Agyei, on his return to the first team, backed into his marker and rolled him, but couldn’t quite beat Eastwood in the U’s goal.
The Sky Blues didn’t have to wait much longer as they doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time. A mix-up in the visitors’ defence allowed Sordell an unmissable opportunity, putting the ball into an empty net from all of 5 yards.
Oxford began the second half with a higher tempo as they went in search of a goal to reduce the deficit. Maguire, a constant menace throughout the game, seemed to be at the centre of all the visitors attacking play.
And it was the seven-goal man who knocked the ball around Lewis Page and got to the byline to create a chance for the U's. The midfielder pulled it back to oncoming centre-half John Lundstram, but the U’s captain couldn’t force it through a wall of bodies to test Burge.
The game began to fizzle out, with the Sky Blues content to retain possession and play on the counter attack. With Oxford struggling to create any clear scoring opportunities, City came close to sealing the victory.
Jamie Sterry received the ball on the right and cut inside onto his left foot, before curling an effort just past the post. In an almost identical chance, Sordell this time went close, cutting inside his marker and bending just past the far post and out for a goal kick.
Despite content to see out the game, the Sky Blues continued to create the better chances in the final moments. Sordell whipped a ball towards the back post, and Tudgay seemed destined to add a third, but fantastic defending on the line deflected it over the bar for a corner.
The visitors made it a tense finale as they grabbed a goal back with just minutes remaining. The ball fell to Dan Crowley who volleyed it into the bottom corner from the edge of the box, but City - intent on maintaing their home record - held on for the win.