United 0
Oxford City 1
(Scott Pollock 51′)
United suffered a narrow defeat to Oxford City at Plainmoor on Saturday afternoon, bringing their Emirates FA Cup journey to an end.
With Deon Moore and Callum Morton impressing last weekend in the 5-1 win over Slough Town, the pair were tasked with leading the line as United looked to reach the First Round Proper of the Emirates FA Cup for the first time since 2022. The former had the ball in the back of the net on 10 minutes when he expertly volleyed home a floated cross to the back post, but the linesman on the far side had his flag raised.
United continued to push forward, and Harry Shield, on the right-hand side, cut back onto his left foot and whipped a dangerous ball towards Maxted’s goal, which very nearly put Jimmy Ball’s side ahead. The away side missed an opportunity themselves to take the lead when Oxford City piled men forward and crossed to former United man Tyrone Marsh, who got a glance on the ball, but it was too high for him to make a real connection.
There wasn’t much to separate the two sides at the break, but the decisive moment came on 51 minutes when some positive link-up play between Marsh and Scott Pollock saw the latter race through and slide an effort past Toby Savin into the bottom-left corner to give Oxford City the lead.
United’s frustration grew even further on 61 minutes when Harry Shield did brilliantly to wriggle past two defenders. His cross seemingly hit a Hoops defender’s arm, but nothing was given in Torquay’s favour as Oxford City cleared.
Deon Moore’s involvement in the game kept growing, and he delivered a couple of dangerous balls into the Hoops’ penalty area, but the defensive pair of Ludwig Francillette and Josh Ashby stood up to everything United threw at them as they searched for the equaliser that would at least set up a replay on Tuesday night at Marsh Lane. United came close through Cody Cooke at the death, as the substitute forward glanced a header over the bar after some positive play from Matt Jay.
As the four minutes of added time came, United kept pushing, but the away side dealt with Gull’s chances and held on to a hard-fought victory at Plainmoor.
UNITED: 1. Toby Savin, 6. Munashe Sundire (27. Matt Jay 54′), 11. Jacob Beaumont-Clark (9. Cody Cooke 54′), 12. Harry Shield, 14. Deon Moore, 15. Kian Jenkins, 18. Matthew Worthington (17. Angelo Capello 81′), 21. Oludare Olufunwa, 24. Caleb Roberts, 26. Luke Browne, 39. Callum Morton (19. Isaac Westendorf).
SUBS NOT USED: 3. Tyler Hill, 20. Daniel Hayfield, 26. Jake Wannell
Yellow Card:
(Matt Worthington 29′, Munashe Sundire 54′)
OXFORD CITY: 1. Jonny Maxted, 3. Ewan Humphreys, 4. Josh Ashby, 5. Ludwig Francillette, 6. Darnell Johnson, 7. Scott Pollock, 9. Tyrone Marsh, 10. Zac McEachran, 11. Ellis Brown, 16. Alfie Potter, 22. Deago Nelson.
SUBS NOT USED: 2. Keegan Bloom, 12. Max Smith, 15. Fernando Forestieri, 18. Tyrae Njogu, 19. Canice Carroll, 21. Dillon De Silva, 14. Kauan Bitencourt.
Yellow Card:
Attendance: 2,283 (77 Away)
