MincheryFarmWeb

One of the more protracted transfer rumours of the summer came to fruition today. Luton Town striker Tom Craddock joined Oxford United for an undisclosed fee.

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Adam Murray has left Oxford United. Read the rest of this entry »

So, coming to the end of another week. The Blue Square Premier may soon be down to 23, the 12th Man get a replacement for Potter, 2 wins, and Luton get a let-off.

It looks like the whole Chester situation is finally coming to an end. After a game called off because the players, not paid for 3 months, refused to travel, then another because the police wouldn’t turn up unpaid, the Conference board are finally starting the final countdown. They have recommended the expulsion of Chester from the Conference after they admitted (without much choice) several breaches of the rules. The death rattle is dragged out slightly because it needs to go t oa full vote of all member clubs. But at least for Chester fans it is almost all over.

Luton on the other hand have got away with it. They were the 3rd team this season to play Craig Nelthorpe against United. Normally a player can only play for 2 clubs in a season (an issue that will affect Portsmouth’s fire-sale), Nelthorpe has played for York, Barrow and Luton. They’ve got away with it because the games for Barrow were during an “Emergency Loan” spell, which for some reason doesn’t seem to count. Of course, had it been Oxford….

With Alfie Potter’s hamstring injury set to keep him out for over a month, Chris Wilder has signed Coventry winger Ashley Cain on an “emergency loan”. He can play out wide or in the middle, and has bags of pace. Cain netted a hattrick against U’s in a friendly earlier this season. The 12th Man fund has supported the signing.

Two good wins this week, although with slightly underwhelming performances, have taken United back clear on top of the BSP. The game against Histon saw United create bags of chances, but only score twice. Against Rushden, chances were at a premium, but Oxford got the vital goal from the penalty spot late on. Now, a break from BSP action until midweek. Saturday sees the visit of Kidderminster in the FA Trophy quarter-final. Just three games from the final (the semi-finals are two legged), United have a decent chance of some Wembley glory. A league and cup double would be a fine way to end our non-league stay…..

Two injury time goals rescued Luton’s season, giving them a comeback 2-1 win against United tonight. First half United played excellently, second half less so but grabbed a goal through Matt Green. United then let Luton push them back too much and took lots of pressure but looked to be holding firm. Then the ref indicated 5 minutes of injury time, Luton lifted, U’s didn’t respond. Two goals later; the first a header from a corner, the second straight in from a corner in the 6th minute of added time; and U’s had thrown it away.

First time in a while I’ve felt truly devastated by a result. Need a win on Saturday.