Oxford United Lose 3-2 to Bolton Wanderers in League One

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Oxford United vs Bolton Wanderers Match Report

On Tuesday night it was a case of no Bodin, no party. The in-form midfielder returned to inspire Oxford United to a narrow 3-2 loss against Bolton in front of another bumper crowd.

Sam Long, Luke McNally, Mark Sykes and Gavin Whyte also returned to the starting line-up and a solid 4-2-3-1 formation.

Top scorer Taylor naturally was the top of the Christmas tree and Bodin teed him up only to see him drag the shot wide.

The U’s missed Bodin’s set pieces, so the only surprise for the 9th minute opener was when the freekick from the edge of the box sailed into the top corner.

Alas, most fans had no fully retaken their seats as a mere 60 seconds later Bolton’s Declan John was released on the left and with the defender holding off was able to fire between his legs and into to the bottom right hand corner.

The U’s were not deflated though and galvanised by the home fans (and better weather). Branngan forced a save out Trafford before Bolton had a few chances.

Bodin was a man on fire though, and in the 32nd minute Sykes battled to win the ball and marauded down the right wing. He found Billy on the edge of the box, who sold a dummy, cut inside brilliantly and the curled another one through the crowd into the top corner. Queue scenes in the home end as the midfielder brilliantly doubled his seasons tally.

The U’s fans at least had a bit more time to soak up the lead as yet again Bolton dragged themselves level. McNally’s headed clearance wasn’t strong enough and fell invitingly for Fossey to calmly finish. It’s the 4th time this season a weak header has resulted in an opposition goal, and the 7th game out of 9 in 2022 where 2 goals have been conceded. It’s unlikely coincidence that since Gorrin tore his ACL, the U’s have had just 2 clean sheets out of 18.

But Bodin wasn’t finished in his masterclass, and released Whyte only to see the effort saved. Then right before half time delivered an inviting cross, which the returning McNally headed just wide.

2-2 at the break and a great advert for League One. Manager Karl Robinson could only ask for more of the same, with perhaps some extra effort from the midfield to protect the defence.

Either way the U’s came out buoyed and Seddon had a long-range effort deflected for a corner for Bodin. Brannagan almost benefited from the defensive header to the opposition trick, only to see Trafford punch it away for another corner.

Oxford rallied as Sykes, Brannagan and Taylor had chances, but Bolton also tested Stevens to remind the U’s of their threat.

In the 63rd minute Bodin went down and needed treatment, and this saw him subbed for McGuane to a well deserved standing ovation. The intent of the injury is unknown, but the good news was he walked off so hopefully not serious.

The game was becoming scrappy rather than battling, Kane got booked for a foul after Bolton broke from a promising freekick position. Seddon was also booked for a late tackle on Fossey, with Williams coming on for Whyte as the U’s to try and inject some creativity in the last 15 minutes.

Last week saw a 3-2 against Portsmouth, and Bolton are a similar fallen giant. There would not have a been a fan in Kassam who would not snap up that score line again as they looked at who could provide that winner.

So it was a low blow when Bakayoko in the 6 yard box finished off Fossey’s cross to give Bolton the 3-2 lead.

The U’s deserved something from the game, and on came Baldock for Seddon with minutes to make an impact. It wasn’t enough time and Bolton ran the game down. Oxford drop out of the playoff spots and need to regroup for Charlton next week.

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