Blackburn Rovers beaten in blunt display at Oxford United

Blackburn Rovers beaten in blunt display at Oxford United

Blackburn Rovers suffered a well-earned 1-0 loss at Oxford United, failing to build on their victory from the previous week.

The Yellows won by a slim margin, and for much of the match, John Eustace’s team was in second place. Rovers had no answer in the last 20 minutes as Cameron Brannagan’s strong free-kick made the difference.

Before Rovers had much of a kick, Oxford controlled the first twenty-five minutes. However, they got better, and before halftime, Andi Weimann put Jamie Cummings to the test, and John Buckley came very close from long range.

However, the hosts got two gold chances and regained control after the break. Aynsley Pears rejected both Mark Harris and Przemysław Placheta.

But the goalkeeper could do little about Brannagan’s fierce drive which took a small nick on the way through to lift it into the top corner. That gave Blackburn 20 minutes plus six added on to find a leveller.

But Rovers didn’t carry enough threat. They threw crosses into the box but they were manfully managed by Oxford whilst the goalkeeper was simply not tested enough.

Eustace rewarded his midweek game-changers with starts as Makhtar Gueye and Amario Cozier-Duberry came is as part of a double switch. Kyle McFadzean was still absent with his move to Chesterfield on hold.

Early on, Rovers fell behind as the hosts bounded out of the traps. Rovers were forced back into their own half as they were first to every second ball.

Harris was denied by Aynsley Pears after Siriki Dembele’s cross was only partially cleared. Shortly after, the goalie disallowed the summer target’s shot, but it was bundled in, raising the offside flag.

Rovers started to make more room as Oxford’s press gave in as they grew weary. Just before Jamie Cumming stopped Andi Weimann from scoring, John Buckley came quite near with a long-range piledrive.

Rovers were dealt a major blow on the half-hour as Sondre Tronstad was forced off with what looked like a hamstring injury. With Lewis Travis still on the sidelines with the same issue, that is a big concern for Eustace.

Following the interval, Pears was called upon to make two crucial saves to maintain the score at par. Before a wayward ball offered Harris a free shot at goal but he struck it at the custodian, he first denied Placheta because Rovers failed to clear their lines.

Oxford had been the more intelligent team at the beginning of the half once more, and they made it matter on minute 69. Brannagan stepped up to tap the ball into the top corner after Dembele was taken down just outside the box.

Rovers failed to work Cummings enough in their 26 minutes, including stoppages, to create an equaliser. With their best effort, Callum Brittain blasted over from 15 yards out late in stoppage time.

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