Match ends, Oxford United 4, Northampton Town 0.
Oxford UtdOxford United4NorthamptonNorthampton Town0
Oxford grabbed four second-half goals as they thrashed a weakened Northampton side to secure their first league win in six games.
Matt Taylor struck twice to take his tally for the season to seven.
Oxford's Josh Ruffels shot against the post before the break while for Northampton, Fraser Horsfall headed a corner wide.
Striker Taylor began the rout by heading in from three yards after Sean Clare's cross looped over goalkeeper Steve Arnold four minutes after the break.
Olamide Shodipo then doubled the U's lead in the 65th minute, firing into the bottom corner after cutting in from the left.
Taylor got his second when he headed in Jordan Obita's centre a minute from time.
And in stoppage time, substitute Dan Agyei fired in a brilliant individual effort from 20 yards to complete the scoring.
The beleaguered visitors were without 10 players because of injuries and suspensions, including five defenders.
Boss Keith Curle gave a first start to 17-year-old Max Dyche, son of Burnley manager Sean.
Match report supplied by PA Media.
Line-ups
Oxford Utd
Formation 4-3-3
- 13Stevens
- 12Long
- 5Moore
- 15MousinhoSubstituted forClareat 45'minutes
- 3Ruffels
- 18McGuaneSubstituted forAgyeiat 86'minutes
- 6Gorrin
- 28KellyBooked at 72minsSubstituted forHansonat 76'minutes
- 17HenrySubstituted forHallat 90+1'minutes
- 9TaylorBooked at 90mins
- 25ShodipoSubstituted forObitaat 86'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Eastwood
- 2Clare
- 7Hall
- 14Forde
- 19Agyei
- 20Hanson
- 24Obita
Northampton
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Arnold
- 7Hoskins
- 32Dyche
- 6Horsfall
- 2Harriman
- 8Watson
- 14LinesSubstituted forAdamsat 61'minutes
- 4SowerbySubstituted forMissilouat 69'minutes
- 29RoseSubstituted forChukwuemekaat 55'minutes
- 9Smith
- 21HolmesBooked at 44mins
Substitutes
- 10Adams
- 11Korboa
- 13Mitchell
- 22Ashley-Seal
- 27Missilou
- 30Chukwuemeka
- 45Marshall
- Referee:
- Declan Bourne
- Attendance:
- 2,000
Match Stats
Home TeamOxford UtdAway TeamNorthampton
- Possession
- Home65%
- Away35%
- Shots
- Home21
- Away5
- Shots on Target
- Home5
- Away0
- Corners
- Home8
- Away2
- Fouls
- Home14
- Away20
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Oxford United 4, Northampton Town 0.
Post update
Jack Stevens (Oxford United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Harry Smith (Northampton Town).
Booking
Matty Taylor (Oxford United) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Foul by Matty Taylor (Oxford United).
Post update
Max Dyche (Northampton Town) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Daniel Agyei (Oxford United) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Matty Taylor.
Goal!
Goal! Oxford United 4, Northampton Town 0. Daniel Agyei (Oxford United) left footed shot from outside the box to the top left corner. Assisted by Robert Hall.
Post update
Robert Hall (Oxford United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Christopher Missilou (Northampton Town).
Substitution
Substitution, Oxford United. Robert Hall replaces James Henry.
Goal!
Goal! Oxford United 3, Northampton Town 0. Matty Taylor (Oxford United) header from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Daniel Agyei.
Post update
Attempt missed. Daniel Agyei (Oxford United) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Sam Long.
Substitution
Substitution, Oxford United. Daniel Agyei replaces Marcus McGuane.
Substitution
Substitution, Oxford United. Jordan Obita replaces Olamide Shodipo.
Post update
Attempt missed. Sam Long (Oxford United) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by James Henry following a set piece situation.
Post update
Sean Clare (Oxford United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Fraser Horsfall (Northampton Town).
Post update
Hand ball by Christopher Missilou (Northampton Town).
