2014–15 Oxford United F.C. season

The 2014–15 season was Oxford United's fifth season in League Two after returning from the Conference, and their first under new manager Michael Appleton. They finished 13th in the table, following an 8th-place finish in League Two in 2013–14.

Oxford United
2014–15 season
ChairmanIan Lenagan (until 4 July 2014)
Darryl Eales (from 4 July 2014)
ManagerGary Waddock (until 4 July 2014)
Michael Appleton (from 4 July 2014)
Football League Two13th
FA Cup2nd round (eliminated by Tranmere Rovers)
League Cup2nd round (eliminated by West Bromwich Albion)
Football League Trophy1st round (eliminated by Cheltenham Town)
Top goalscorerLeague: Danny Hylton (14)
All: Danny Hylton (16)
Highest home attendance9,406 (v York City, 6 April 2015, League Two)
Lowest home attendance4,111 (v Accrington Stanley, 16 September 2014, League Two)

In July 2014, private equity broker Darryl Eales took over the club from previous owner Ian Lenagan and installed Mark Ashton as Chief Executive and former Portsmouth, Blackpool and Blackburn Rovers manager Michael Appleton as head coach. The new management team had little time to assemble a side, with Danny Hylton (signed by outgoing manager Gary Waddock to replace long-serving forward James Constable) the only new player among the first-team squad at the time of the takeover. The season opened badly: a series of four narrow defeats left United pointless and at the foot of the League Two table and fearing a second relegation to non-League football. Matters gradually improved, but the team never reached the top half of the table and calls were heard during the season for Appleton's dismissal. An unbeaten run of eight games (including five wins) at the end of the season eased relegation fears and led to a 13th-place finish, the club's highest position during the season. This late upturn, alongside the solid strike record of leading scorer Hylton and the performances of loanees Tyrone Barnett and Kemar Roofe (the latter to sign permanently after the season ended), gave cause for optimism for the following season, and dampened criticism of what was ultimately an underwhelming season.

United beat Grimsby Town of the National League in the first round of the FA Cup, but were eliminated by fellow League Two side Tranmere Rovers after a second-round replay. After an eye-catching first-round away victory over higher-division opposition in the shape of eventual League One champions Bristol City, the club were narrowly eliminated from the League Cup in the second round, losing 7–6 on penalties to Premier League side West Bromwich Albion after a hard-fought 1–1 draw at The Hawthorns. Oxford fell at the first hurdle in the Football League Trophy, losing to Cheltenham Town in the first round.

It was the club's 121st year in existence, their 115th of competitive football and their 66th since turning professional. This article covers the period from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015.

Team kit

Home colours
Away colours

Match fixtures and results

Pre-season

12 July 2014 Farnborough 1–2 Oxford United Cherrywood Road, Farnborough
15:00 BSTLucas Enrique 77'ReportRoberts 71'
Ashby 76'
Attendance: 278
15 July 2014 Oxford City 0–1 Oxford United Marsh Lane, Marston
19:45 BSTReportMarsh 69' (pen.)Attendance: 907
19 July 2014 Didcot Town 0–1 Oxford United NPower Loop Meadow Stadium, Didcot
15:00 BSTReportRoberts 55'Attendance: 571
29 July 2014 Oxford United 0–1 Wolverhampton Wanderers Kassam Stadium, Oxford
19:45 BSTReportClarke 28'Attendance: 2,727 (736 away)
2 August 2014 Oxford United 1–4 Bournemouth Kassam Stadium, Oxford
15:00 BSTRose 22'ReportJunior Stanislas 19'
Wilson 44', 79' (pen.), 88'
Attendance: 1,165 (124 away)

League Two

League table

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPts
11Morecambe461712175352+163
12Northampton Town46187216762+561
13Oxford United461516155049+161
14Dagenham & Redbridge46178215859−159
15AFC Wimbledon461416165460−658
Updated to match(es) played on 23 May 2015. Source: BBC Sport
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored

Results

The fixtures for the 2014–15 season were announced on 18 June 2014 at 9am.[1]

9 August 2014 1 Oxford United 0–1 Burton Albion Kassam Stadium, Oxford
15:00ReportAkins 42'Attendance: 5,370
Referee: Darren Handley
16 August 2014 2 Mansfield Town 2–1 Oxford United Field Mill, Mansfield
15:00Tafazolli 39'
Murray 88'
ReportHylton 79' (pen)Attendance: 3,042
Referee: Richard Clark
19 August 2014 3 Morecambe 1–0 Oxford United Globe Arena, Morecambe
19:45Ellison 39'ReportAttendance: 1,615 (176 away)
Referee: Tony Harrington
23 August 2014 4 Oxford United 0–1 Portsmouth Kassam Stadium
15:00ReportWestcarr 80'Attendance: 6,852
Referee: Darren Bond
30 August 2014 5 Oxford United 3–3 Dagenham & Redbridge Kassam Stadium
15:00Jakubiak 3'
Hylton 55' 61' (pen)
ReportHemmings 7'
Cureton 46'
Ogogo 71'
Attendance: 4,391
Referee: Gary Sutton
6 September 2014 6 Southend United 1–1 Oxford United Roots Hall, Southend-on-Sea
15:00Payne 36'ReportHylton 67' (pen.)Attendance: 5,315 (424 away)
Referee: Andy Davies
13 September 2014 7 Exeter City 1–1 Oxford United St James Park, Exeter
15:00Cummins 4' (pen)ReportO'Dowda 15'Attendance: 3,076
Referee: James Linington
16 September 2014 8 Oxford United 3–1 Accrington Stanley Kassam Stadium
19:45Hylton 15'
Collins 36'
Barnett 71'
ReportCarver 17'Attendance: 4,111
Referee: Charles Breakspear
20 September 2014 9 Oxford United 0–0 Stevenage Kassam Stadium
15:00ReportAttendance: 4,658 (263 away)
Referee: Chris Kavanagh
27 September 2014 10 Luton Town 2–0 Oxford United Kenilworth Road, Luton
15:00Wilkinson 2'
Howells 67'
ReportAttendance: 9,101
Referee: Mark Haywood
4 October 2014 11 Oxford United 1–0 Newport County Kassam Stadium
15:00Collins 40'ReportAttendance: 5,072
Referee: Darren Sheldrake
11 October 2014 12 Cambridge United 5–1 Oxford United Abbey Stadium, Cambridge
12:15Appiah 41', 45'
Donaldson 54'
Elliott 59'
Simpson 89'
ReportHylton 9'
Howard  29'
Whing  74'
Collins  83'
Attendance: 4,435
Referee: Andy D'Urso
18 October 2014 13 Oxford United 2–0 Tranmere Rovers Kassam Stadium
15:00Barnett 28'
Potter 73'
ReportAttendance: 4,748
Referee: Kevin Johnson
21 October 2014 14 Northampton Town 1–3 Oxford United Sixfields Stadium, Northampton
19:45Stevens 4'ReportHylton 25' 27' (pen)
Potter 50'
Attendance: 4,577
Referee: Phil Gibbs
25 October 2014 15 Carlisle United 2–1 Oxford United Brunton Park, Carlisle
15:00Beck 73'
Asamoah 89'
ReportHylton 45'Attendance: 4,392
Referee: Mick Russell
1 November 2014 16 Oxford United 1–2 Wycombe Wanderers Kassam Stadium
15:00Hylton 27' (pen)ReportHayes 53'
Murphy 52'
Attendance: 7,552
Referee: Tim Robinson
15 November 2014 17 York City 0–1 Oxford United Bootham Crescent, York
15:00ReportRoberts 35'Attendance: 3,363
Referee: Scott Duncan
22 November 2014 18 Oxford United 0–0 AFC Wimbledon Kassam Stadium
15:00ReportAttendance: 5,443
Referee: Trevor Kettle
29 November 2014 19 Cheltenham Town 1–1 Oxford United Whaddon Road, Cheltenham
15:00Harrison 52'ReportBarnett 61'Attendance: 3,002
Referee: Pat Miller
13 December 2014 20 Oxford United 2–1 Bury Kassam Stadium
15:00Jones 69' (o.g.)
Barnett 90'
ReportMayor 63'Attendance: 6,912
Referee: Steve Martin
20 December 2014 21 Hartlepool United 1–1 Oxford United Victoria Park, Hartlepool
15:00Ironside 53'ReportHylton 65'Attendance: 4,070
Referee: Geoff Eltringham
26 December 2014 22 Oxford United 0–2 Shrewsbury Town Kassam Stadium
15:00ReportCollins 13'
Ellis 18'
Attendance: 7,502
Referee: Lee Probert
28 December 2014 23 Plymouth Argyle 1–2 Oxford United Home Park, Plymouth
15:00Alessandra 19'ReportCampbell 69'
Roberts 83'
Attendance: 11,020
Referee: Andy Davies
3 January 2015 24 Oxford United 1–2 Cheltenham Town Kassam Stadium
15:00Burns 20'ReportDunn 40'
Stewart 45'
Attendance: 5,360
Referee: Michael Bull
10 January 2015 25 Dagenham & Redbridge 0–0 Oxford United Victoria Road, Dagenham
15:00ReportAttendance: 1,892
Referee: Darren Drysdale
17 January 2015 26 Oxford United 2–3 Southend United Kassam Stadium
15:00O'Dowda 13'
Long 45'
ReportWorrall 25'
Pigott 48'
Corr 82'
Attendance: 7,207
Referee: Michael Bull
24 January 2015 27 Oxford United 2–2 Exeter City Kassam Stadium
15:00Hylton 18'
Roberts 90'
ReportDavies 37'
Nicholls 88'
Attendance: 6,791
Referee: Graham Horwood
10 January 2015 28 Stevenage 0–2 Oxford United Broadhall Way, Stevenage
15:00ReportMullins 59'
O'Dowda 68'
Attendance: 3,146
Referee: Tim Robinson
7 February 2015 29 Oxford United 1–1 Luton Town Kassam Stadium
15:00Mullins 43'ReportStockley 36'Attendance: 7,541
Referee: Richard Clark
10 February 2015 30 Accrington Stanley 1–0 Oxford United Crown Ground, Accrington
19:45Gornell 90'ReportAttendance: 1,065
Referee: Mark Haywood
14 February 2015 31 Burton Albion 2–0 Oxford United Pirelli Stadium, Burton-on-Trent
15:00McGurk 13'
Akins 89'
ReportAttendance: 2,954
Referee: Peter Bankes
21 February 2015 (2015-02-21) 32 Oxford United 3–0 Mansfield Town Kassam Stadium
15:00 GMTMacDonald 31' 54'
Hylton 63' (pen)
ReportAttendance: 6,954
Referee: Andy Woolmer
28 February 2015 33 Portsmouth 0–0 Oxford United Fratton Park, Portsmouth
15:00ReportAttendance: 16,355
Referee: Darren Deadman
3 March 2015 (2015-03-03) 34 Oxford United 1–1 Morecambe Kassam Stadium
19:45 GMTBaldock 87'ReportEllison 11'Attendance: 6,924
Referee: Fred Graham
7 March 2015 (2015-03-07) 35 Bury 0–1 Oxford United Gigg Lane, Bury
15:00ReportO'Dowda 85'Attendance: 3,645
Referee: Kevin Johnson
14 March 2015 (2015-03-14) 36 Oxford United 0–0 Plymouth Argyle Kassam Stadium
15:00 GMTReportAttendance: 8,057
Referee: Michael Bull
17 March 2015 (2015-03-17) 37 Oxford United 0–2 Hartlepool United Kassam Stadium
19:45 GMTReportBird 33'
Austin 51'
Attendance: 4,375
Referee: Pat Miller
21 March 2015 (2015-03-21) 38 Shrewsbury Town 2–0 Oxford United New Meadow, Shrewsbury
15:00Lawrence 2' (pen), 82'ReportAttendance: 5,265
Referee: Tony Harrington
28 March 2015 (2015-03-28) 39 Oxford United 2–1 Carlisle United Kassam Stadium
15:00 GMTHoban 38'
Vassell 80'
ReportCorry 9'Attendance: 5,515
Referee: Gavin Ward
3 April 2015 (2015-04-03) 40 Wycombe Wanderers 2–3 Oxford United Adams Park, High Wycombe
15:00Hayes 48'
Amadi-Holloway 88'
ReportRoofe 11', 60'
Rose 22'
Attendance: 6,892
Referee: Oliver Langford
6 April 2015 (2015-04-06) 41 Oxford United 0–0 York City Kassam Stadium
15:00 GMTReportAttendance: 9,406
Referee: James Adcock
11 April 2015 (2015-04-11) 42 AFC Wimbledon 0–0 Oxford United Kingsmeadow, Kingston upon Thames
15:00ReportAttendance: 4,234
Referee: Lee Collins
14 April 2015 (2015-04-14) 43 Oxford United 1–1 Northampton Town Kassam Stadium
19:45 GMTMacDonald 90'ReportToney 38'Attendance: 4,836
Referee: Brendan Malone
18 April 2015 (2015-04-18) 44 Tranmere Rovers 0–3 Oxford United Prenton Park, Tranmere
15:00ReportRoofe 51', 59'
Rose 52'
Referee: Andy Madley
25 April 2015 (2015-04-25) 45 Oxford United 2–0 Cambridge United Kassam Stadium
15:00 GMTRoofe 21'
Hylton 45'
ReportAttendance: 5,954
Referee: Carl Berry
2 May 2015 (2015-05-02) 46 Newport County 0–1 Oxford United Rodney Parade, Newport
15:00 GMTReportRoofe 30'Attendance: 4,295
Referee: Mark Heywood

Results summary

OverallHomeAway
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsWDLGFGAGDWDLGFGAGD
461516154948 +1617972623 +38782325 −2

Last updated: 2 May 2015.
Source: BBC Sport

Results by round

Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546
GroundHAAHHAAHHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA
ResultLLLLDDDWDLWLWWLLWDDWDLWLDLDWDLLWDDWDLLWWDDDWWW
Position21202124232322222223202320191919181919171717161615171615151719171719181719191615161616151413
Updated to match(es) played on 2 May 2015. Source: see below
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

FA Cup

The draw for the first round of the FA Cup was made on 27 October 2014.[2]

8 November 2014 1 Grimsby Town 1–3 Oxford United Blundell Park, Grimsby
15:00Pearson 80'ReportRoberts 35', 42'
Rose 51'
Attendance: 3,241
Referee: Chris Kavanagh
6 December 2014 2 Oxford United 2–2 Tranmere Rovers Kassam Stadium
15:00Barnett 59' 64'ReportStockton 33'
Koumas 76'
Attendance: 4,681
Referee: Mark Haywood
16 December 2014 2R Tranmere Rovers 2–1 Oxford United Prenton Park, Tranmere
19:45Odejayi 36'
Power 76'
Ihiekwe  80'
ReportPotter 29'
Collins  32'
Wright  62'
Hylton  83'
Attendance: 3,296
Referee: Mick Russell

League Cup

The draw for the first round was made on 17 June 2014 at 10am. Oxford United were drawn away to Bristol City.[3]

12 August 2014 1 Bristol City 1–2 Oxford United Ashton Gate Stadium, Bristol
19:45Bryan 2'ReportMorris 55'
Hylton 87'
Attendance: 6,145
Referee: Lee Collins
26 August 2014 2 West Bromwich Albion 1–1 (a.e.t.)
(7–6 p)
Oxford United The Hawthorns, West Bromwich Albion
19:45Mullins 29' (o.g.)ReportHylton 86'
Brown  52'   111'
Attendance: 10,939
Referee: James Adcock
Penalties
Morrison
Ideye
Mulumbu
Berahino
Yacob
Dawson
Wisdom
Gamboa
Davidson
Hylton
Collins
Newey
Hoskins
Hunt
Jakubiak
Ruffels
Mullins
Wright

Football League Trophy

2 September 2014 1 Cheltenham Town 2–0 Oxford United Whaddon Road, Cheltenham
19:45Marquis 45+2'
Arthur 78'
ReportMeades  68'Attendance: 1,424 (261 away)
Referee: Brendan Malone

Squad statistics

Appearances and goals

As of 2 May 2015
No.PosNatPlayerTotalLeague TwoFA CupLeague CupJP Trophy
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
1GK  ENGRyan Clarke340310300000
2DF  WALJonathan Meades1005+200+101010
3DF  ENGTom Newey150120002010
3DF  ENGJoe Skarz180180000000
4DF  ENGMichael Raynes503+10000010
4DF  ENGRichard Brindley3030000000
5DF  ENGJohnny Mullins49242+22302000
6DF  ENGJake Wright480420302010
7MF  ENGDanny Rose34325+4231100+10
8MF  ENGJunior Brown1506+500+102010
9FW  ENGCarlton Morris915+2000110+10
10FW  ENGDanny Hylton491641+314201+1210
11MF  ENGAlfie Potter1839+422+111010
11MF  SCOAlex MacDonald14313+13000000
12DF  ENGGeorge Baldock121121000000
13DF  ENGDavid Hunt502+10001+1000
14MF  ENGJosh Ruffels38030+40102010
15FW  IRLCallum O'Dowda42421+184300000
16DF  ENGAndy Whing23018+30200000
17DF  ENGMatt Bevans0000000000
18GK  ENGGeorge Long110100000010
18GK  ENGJamie Ashdown5050000000
19MF  EIRMichael Collins43238+12201+1000
20FW  ENGGiorgio Rasulo100+10000000
21GK  NZLMax Crocombe2000002000
22MF  ENGSam Long1018+21000000
23FW  ENGJosh Shama0000000000
24MF  ENGJosh Ashby2020000000
25DF  ENGJoe Riley280220302010
25FW  CIVArmand Gnanduillet400+40000000
26FW  WALWes Burns816+21000000
27FW  ENGTyrone Barnett14611+141+120000
27FW  ENGKyle Vassell612+41000000
28FW  ENGAlex Jakubiak1012+71000+1000
29MF  ENGBrian Howard8070100000
29MF  ENGKemar Roofe16612+46000000
30MF  ENGSam Humphreys100+10000000
31FW  ENGJames Roberts2555+193120000
32MF  ENGAidan Hawtin100+10000000
33DF  ENGChey Dunkley907+20000000
34DF  ENGTareiq Holmes-Dennis170140300000
36FW  ENGJohn Campbell311+21000000
39FW  EIRPatrick Hoban20115+51000000
44FW  ENGWill Hoskins602+20000+1010

Top scorers

As of 2 May 2015
PlacePositionNationNumberNameLeague TwoFA CupLeague CupJP TrophyTotal
1FW 10Danny Hylton1402016
2FW 27Tyrone Barnett42006
MF 29Kemar Roofe60006
4FW 31James Roberts32005
5FW 15Callum O'Dowda40004
6MF 11Alfie Potter21003
MF 11Alex MacDonald30003
MF 7Danny Rose21003
9MF 19Michael Collins20002
DF 5Johnny Mullins20002
11DF 12George Baldock10001
FW 26Wes Burns10001
FW 36John Campbell10001
FW 9Patrick Hoban10001
FW 28Alex Jakubiak10001
FW 22Sam Long10001
FW 9Carlton Morris00101
FW 27Kyle Vassell10001
Own Goals10001
TOTALS5063059

Disciplinary record

As of 2 May 2015
NumberNationPositionNameLeague TwoFA CupLeague CupJP TrophyTotal
1 GKRyan Clarke1000000010
2 DFJonathan Meades0000000101
3 DFJoe Skarz3000000030
5 DFJohnny Mullins3000000030
6 DFJake Wright4010200070
7 MFDanny Rose3000000030
8 MFJunior Brown0000010001
9 FWCarlton Morris1000000010
10 FWDanny Hylton90100010110
11 MFAlex MacDonald3000000030
12 DFGeorge Baldock6000000060
14 MFJosh Ruffels1000000010
16 DFAndy Whing5000000050
18 GKGeorge Long1000000010
19 MFMichael Collins5010000060
21 GKMax Crocombe0000100010
22 MFSam Long2000000020
25 DFJoe Riley4000000040
25 FWArmand Gnanduillet1000000010
27 FWTyrone Barnett2100000021
29 MFBrian Howard1000000010
29 MFKemar Roofe2000000020
39 FWPatrick Hoban2000000020
44 FWWill Hoskins2000000020
TOTALS571303111633

Transfers

Players transferred in
DatePos.NameFromFeeRef.
6 June 2014FW Danny Hylton Rotherham UnitedFree[4]
15 July 2014MF Michael Collins Scunthorpe UnitedFree[5]
31 July 2014MF Junior Brown Fleetwood TownFree[6]
25 August 2014FW Will Hoskins Brighton & Hove AlbionFree[7]
15 September 2014MF Brian Howard Birmingham CityFree[8]
21 November 2014[a]FW Patrick Hoban DundalkUndisclosed[9]
27 November 2014FW John Campbell Jarrow Roofing Boldon Community AssociationUndisclosed[10]
24 January 2015DF Joe Skarz Rotherham UnitedFree[11]
2 February 2015MF Alex MacDonald Burton AlbionUndisclosed[12]
3 February 2015GK Jamie Ashdown Crawley TownFree[13]
9 February 2015FW Jeremy Balmy Notts CountyFree[14]
Players transferred out
DatePos.NameToFeeRef.
8 May 2014MF Scott Davies Dunstable TownFree[15]
8 May 2014MF Sean Rigg AFC WimbledonFree[15]
20 May 2014FW Deane Smalley Plymouth ArgyleFree[16]
21 May 2014FW James Constable EastleighFree[17]
24 December 2014FW Tyrone Marsh Ebbsfleet UnitedFree[18]
7 January 2015MF Junior Brown Mansfield TownFree[19]
9 January 2015DF Michael Raynes Mansfield TownFree[20]
16 January 2015MF Alfie Potter AFC WimbledonFree[21]
27 January 2015DF Tom Newey Northampton TownFree[22]
Players loaned in
Date fromPos.NameFromDate toRef.
25 July 2014GK George Long Sheffield UnitedJanuary 2015[23]
28 July 2014DF Joe Riley Bolton Wanderers1 January 2015[24]
4 August 2014FW Carlton Morris Norwich City23 October 2014[25][26]
13 August 2014FW Alex Jakubiak Watford4 November 2014[27][28]
10 September 2014FW Tyrone Barnett Peterborough United12 December 2014[29]
16 October 2014DF Tareiq Holmes-Dennis Charlton Athletic2 February 2015[30][31][32][33]
20 November 2014DF Chey Dunkley Kidderminster Harriers1 January 2015[34][35]
27 November 2014FW Wes Burns Bristol City2 February 2015[36][33]
29 January 2015DF Richard Brindley Rotherham United29 February 2015[37]
12 February 2015DF George Baldock Milton Keynes Dons30 June 2015[38]
13 February 2015MF Kemar Roofe West Bromwich Albion30 June 2015[39][40]
19 February 2015FW Giorgio Rasulo Milton Keynes Dons26 March 2015[41][42]
2 March 2015FW Armand Gnanduillet Chesterfield26 March 2015[43][44]
26 March 2015FW Kyle Vassell Peterborough United30 June 2015[45]
Players loaned out
Date fromPos.NameToDate toRef.
5 August 2014FW Tyrone Marsh Welling United24 December 2014[46]
29 August 2014FW Josh Shama Banbury United26 September 2014[47]
29 August 2014DF Matt Bevans Farnborough26 September 2014[47]
29 August 2014MF Aidan Hawtin Banbury United26 September 2014[47]
30 October 2014DF Tom Newey Northampton Town2 January 2015[48]
31 October 2014DF David Hunt Barnetend-January 2015[49]
20 November 2014MF Sam Long Kidderminster Harriers1 January 2015[35]
27 November 2014MF Junior Brown Mansfield Town3 January 2015[50]
17 February 2015FW John Campbell Torquay United30 June 2015[51]
20 February 2015GK Max Crocombe Nuneaton Town30 June 2015[52]
13 March 2015FW Josh Shama Farnborough Town30 June 2015[53]
13 March 2015FW Jeremy Balmy Oxford City30 June 2015[54]

References