Oxford United vs Accrington Stanley. The FA Cup Second Round.
The Kassam StadiumAttendance2,566.
Tuesday 18 December 2012 23:13, UK
Two second-half goals earned Oxford a place in the FA Cup third round for the first time in 10 years following a 2-0 home win over Accrington.
James Constable and Peter Leven struck to bring the U's the reward of a home tie against League One high-flyers Sheffield United next month. It is the first time Oxford have reached the third round since the 2002/03 season when they lost to Arsenal at Highbury. This second-round replay, postponed because of a frozen pitch last Wednesday, took an age to get going and had nothing of the entertainment and excitement of the first match, a 3-3 thriller at the Crown Ground. Accrington right-back Aristote Nsiala made two superb goal-line clearances within a few moments of each other from Constable and Tom Craddock. Oxford stepped up their pressure in the second half but the breakthrough came from an Alfie Potter counter-attack after 66 minutes. Potter's 50-yard run and shot by Constable forced a corner and from Leven's flag kick, Constable powered home a header. Constable turned provider to set up Leven for a beautifully-hit left-foot volley from 20 yards 10 minutes from time. The U's also had the boost of seeing veteran defender Michael Duberry come on as a sub after six months out with a neck injury.
