It was a frustrating afternoon for City at the Ricoh, as they fell to a one-nil defeat against Oxford United.
Coming in to the game off the back of two wins, it was the Sky Blues who created the first chance of the game after just two minutes. Excellent work from Amadou Bakayoko saw him beat his man on the half way line and drive in to the box and cut the ball back to Luke Thomas. However, Thomas’ shot was well kept out by Oxford keeper Simon Eastwood.
Bakayoko was then denied the opener just after the 20-minute mark. The ball found its way to Brandon Mason on the left-hand side and the full back put in a terrific cross which was met by Baka, but his header came back off the post from close range.
The visitors’ first chance of the game came after half an hour. A corner was whipped in and found Curtis Nelson, but the defenders glancing header flashed across the face of goal and evaded any yellow shirt in the process.
Lee Burge was then forced to make a save by Luke Garbutt just before half time. The defender turned on the edge of the box and his shot required Burge to tip it round the post.
The Oxford defender then went on a marauding run from just inside the City half, beating three defenders, but Hyam made a crucial block to deny him and ensure the two teams went in to the break goalless.
Luke Thomas was superbly denied by Eastwood after the restart. A good piece of skill saw the winger beat his man and drive in to the box, but his low shot was well saved by the goalkeeper.
It was Oxford who broke the deadlock ten minutes into the second half. A corner wasn’t dealt with by City and Curtis Nelson was on hand to give the away side the advantage.
Luke Garbutt tested Burge just minutes later as his low shot was comfortably saved by the City keeper.
Oxford were well on top after the goal and Burge had to make another save to stop the Sky Blues falling further behind. A cross was met by Garbutt at the back post, but Burge saved from close range.
Despite pressing for a late equaliser, the Sky Blues failed to carve out any clear-cut chances in the final minutes and fell to defeat at the Ricoh.
Sky Blues Xl: Lee Burge (GK), Brandon Mason, Dom Hyam, Jordan Willis, Dujon Sterling, Liam Kelly (C), Tom Bayliss (Jordan Ponticelli 79’), Bright Enobakhare, Luke Thomas (Jordan Shipley 72’), Jordy Hiwula, Amadou Bakayoko.
Unused Subs: Corey Addai (GK), Tom Davies, Jack Grimmer, Junior Brown, David Meyler.
Oxford United XI: Simon Eastwood (GK), Luke Garbutt, Rob Dickie, Curtis Nelson, Cameron Brannagan, Marcus Browne (James Henry 65’), Josh Ruffels, Jordan Graham (John Mousinho 82’), Jamie Mackie (Jerome Sinclair 76’), Sam Long, Ahmed Kashi.
Unused Subs: Jack Stevens (GK), Mark Sykes, Fabio Lopes, Nico Jones.
Attendance: 14,044 (2007)
Yellows: Jordy Hiwula, Marcus Browne, Jordan Graham, Luke Garbutt