Wokingham proved to be their own worst enemy as a complacent performance in all departments handed Oxford a narrow win.

After a thrilling reverse fixture in which they came from three goals behind to draw 4-4, Wokingham were hoping that a better start to this game would set up a good chance of victory on the road. The visitors did begin the brighter of the two sides, switching the ball quickly and making some promising moves down either flank.

Yet Wokingham’s basic skills suddenly started to desert them as they failed to adapt to a lively pitch. Numerous players were guilty of poor touches and missed tackles, which allowed Oxford to begin dominating proceedings. The home side soon won a series of penalty corners following a period of sustained pressure and crafty play by their forwards.

Wokingham comfortably defended each short corner as the disorganised hosts never looked like threatening from the set-piece. However, despite another poor touch from their stopper, the home side were eventually able to work the ball to a free striker only for him to smash the loose ball into the roof of the net. As the Wokingham defence turned to set-up for a defensive sixteen, they were shocked to see the umpire had awarded Oxford a goal. The visitors ‘gently’ reminded the umpire that the first strike had to be below the backboard only to be met with the ridiculous justification that the strike had been made with a ‘flicking motion.’ An aggrieved Wokingham held on to half-time, play momentarily interrupted by James Moss’ decision to improve his looks by heading the ball.

The visitors started the second half well but, as time wore on and decent chances failed to materialise, Wokingham became increasingly frustrated. This soon boiled over into poor discipline as Richard Wallace picked up a yellow card for impeding a free-hit, his first offence adjudged serious enough not to warrant just a green. Wokingham bravely tried to keep pressing forward but Oxford soon made the most of their numerical advantage by doubling their lead. However, Wokingham should be disappointed with the manner of the goal as an aged opposition midfielder shrugged off half-hearted challenges and fired low past ‘keeper Matt Turner.

Moments after getting back up to full strength, a second yellow card was shown, this time to captain Dave Morgan who, incensed at another weak umpiring decision, gave an opposition player about a yard from a free-hit before clattering the ball off him. Wokingham again hung on and had Turner to thank for a couple of quality saves that prevented an Oxford third. The visitors even had a number of good chances to hit back, most notably through Mark Higginson who found himself free at the near post only to mistime his sweep at the ball. Yet Oxford were largely able to see out the remaining minutes untroubled and Wokingham were left to rue what had been a good opportunity to gain valuable points.