Middlesbrough frustrated by relegation-threatened Oxford in goalless draw
Boro failed to fully bounce back from their loss away at Coventry City in what was a disappointing draw against Oxford United, who made life very difficult for the Teessiders.
Heading into their match against Oxford United at the Riverside, Middlesbrough knew that a victory of any type was what was required. Monday night’s loss against promotion rivals Coventry City will certainly have hurt the Teessiders. They played well against the Sky Blues on the ball, but were lacking physically and conceded sloppy goals.
The loss at the Coventry Building Society Arena put Frank Lampard’s side just one point ahead of Kim Hellberg’s Boro, a lead which was extended to four points by Coventry winning away at West Bromwich Albion before Middlesbrough kicked off. The incentive of remaining hot on the heels of Coventry was there for Boro to grasp.
Opponents Oxford, on paper, would have appeared to have been the perfect side for Middlesbrough to play when needing a win. The fixture pitted second top in the Championship against second bottom. Only Sheffield Wednesday, languishing on minus seven points (as a result of entering administration) sat below Oxford.
Football is never that predictable, however. The comfortable win that some may have predicted did not occur. “It was very difficult”, Boro boss Kim Hellberg admitted when reflecting on the first half.
“We should have moved them [side-to-side] a little bit more. That is the thing we could have done better”, Hellberg added.
“The second half we should have scored”, the Swede made clear, clearly aggrieved that his side had not managed to get over the line against Oxford, who despite their lowly league position, were dogged and determined throughout.
Boro’s attacking play in the opening exchanges was certainly attractive. They found space with such ease, even against Oxford who were quite happy to sit deep in an attempt to make life difficult for the Teessiders. A goal however, did not come.
It was obvious that Middlesbrough were intent on responding to their loss at Coventry and get ahead in this match, so much so that they were playing almost constantly in Oxford’s half. This did allow for the visitors to pose some threat on the counter attack though, with Stanley Mills crashing a shot off the crossbar halfway through the opening period.
This was a warning for the home side, who themselves, despite their fluid passing game, were starting to become frustrated at Oxford’s rigid back line holding firm. Just as the first half seemed to be petering out, Oxford again struck the woodwork. This time it was Myles Peart-Harris, who prodded the ball off the upright from close range. If that had found the net it would have been the ultimate sucker punch right on the stroke of half time.
Boro started the second half brightly, but as they had towards the end of the first 45, soon fell into the trap of trying to walk the ball into the net. Their intricate passing in tight areas worked up to a point, but they continued to lack intensity, and ultimately, someone to pull the trigger at the right moment.
Hayden Hackney should have opened the scoring shortly after the hour mark, as he received the ball in space, bearing down on goal. Having swept inside of the defender he then took too long to shoot and the ball was cleared.
It was clear following that, that it was not to be Boro’s day. They grew more desperate as they ran out of ideas and lacked the composure required in the final third to find an all-important winner. Luckily for Middlesbrough, Ipswich were on the wrong end of a thrilling match against Wrexham, and Millwall lost at home against Portsmouth, meaning their buffer to the play-offs actually extended.
That will not dispel the frustration of the day though. It should have been a reassuring victory but it was not. However, such is the nature of the Championship, Middlesbrough have another opportunity to right the wrongs of today, when they welcome Leicester City to Teesside on Tuesday.