(Kwame Poku in action against Oxford United at the Kassam Stadium (Credit: Billy Wooldridge)
“Bill shuffle over mate, Jayden’s here” growls Kes, the driver, I’ve no idea who this “Jayden” is, just assuming he’s a friend of a friend. The door opens, I ‘shuffle’ over and next thing I know I’m shaking hands with Leyton Orient left-back Jayden Sweeney on my way to watch Oxford United take on Peterborough in League One. The story gets even weirder, but that comes a bit later.
Pulling up to the Kassam Stadium car park, you wonder how fans on foot get to the ground. Centred in what seems like the middle of nowhere, you can only see three things, a football ground, a car park, and a big building with the words “Hollywood Bowl Oxford.” Clearly the place for the Oxford Ultras to smash up after a heavy defeat.
The driver of our party, Kes sends me to the ticket office as we’re sat in the away end, which has its own stand thankfully. Football stadiums normally have four stands, this one only has three… I receive an envelope with the tickets, which read “To Kes and friends, from Kwame Poku and Hector Kyprianou”, I told you it gets weirder. Free football tickets from two
players in the Peterborough starting line-up, now that was a shock.
Finally in our seats, with a professional footballer sat to my right, the game begins and instantly the Posh faithful were out singing the Oxford fans. You can probably guess the chants, “Is this a library?” and “Shall we sign a song for you”, ringing around the stadium.
Peterborough start the game quickly and go one up within seven minutes thanks to a back post tap in for Jack Taylor. In the 31st minute, ticket donator Poku slots home with a lovely left footed finish from the edge of the box.
As the half-time whistle sounds, the away fans let out a roar of happiness, soon followed by the deep booing of the home fans. The following 15 minutes were spent asking Sweeney as many questions as I physically could, whilst also getting through my hot dog and hot chocolate.
In the second half, things improved for the home side. Billy Bodin tapped in at the front post in the 52nd minute to bring life back into the game, however that remaining life soon died.
Oxford United striker Matt Taylor saw red five minutes later for reacting out on Peterborough’s centre-back Ronnie Edwards, a bit harsh, but also not a very smart move from the striker. The red card dampened the end of the game, Oxford failed to react and in the end the Posh comfortably held out 2-1 winners.
Peterborough, who currently sit 4th, will certainly need to improve future performances if they are to push for promotion in the Championship, however with the players and ability that they have at their disposal, promotion is most definitely on the cards.
As for Oxford United, who sit 19th, two points of the drop zone, there will be a lot of looking down this season, and if their form doesn’t improve, they will potentially be saying goodbye to League One football in May.
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