Oxford United made progress in the Emirates FA Cup with a 2-0 win at Hayes and Yeading, but as defender Sam Long told iFollow, it was far from easy against a spirited home side who refused to buckle under enormous pressure from the U’s in the first half.
“Credit to Hayes and Yeading” Sam said. “They changed shape and made it difficult for us in the second half; the change of shape suited them, although I thought in the first half we were much the better team and we created a lot of chances. We should have put the game away before the break and been at least three or four goals ahead.
“We were kicking ourselves and frustrated at half time because we knew we should have taken those chances and that they would came after us in the second half. Thankfully Hally came on and got a good goal and that settled us down and then we were very professional and just saw the game out.
“It was what the FA Cup is all about. Hayes had come through a few rounds to get to this stage and they never stopped running or believing, right to the end. But credit to us as well because we got the job done in a very professional manner.”
Long’s reward for an excellent performance at left back was a headed goal- his second goal in quick succession for the U’s
“I am going to start getting called the Magnet again now!” he joked. “ I anticipated Tayls’ header and when it rebounded off the bar luckily I was right place right tome to nod it in.
“It was good to get a goal but getting through was all that mattered. There are always upsets and you never want to be that team.
“Over the last few years we have been on some good runs in the FA Cup and we want to do the same again, like we have done in the Carabao Cup as well.
“It was always going to be tough, the opposition were always going to be up for it, and I think we managed it pretty well today.”
See the full interview plus the thoughts of Karl Robinson and Tariqe Fosu, plus extended highlights, all in iFollow