Oxford United won for the second home game in succession as they beat bottom-of-the-table Plymouth Argyle this afternoon.
As in the last game, Ciaron Brown and Przemysław Płacheta were on the scoresheet, Brown setting Oxford on their way in the first half and Płacheta wrapping things up after half time to keep the side unbeaten so far under Gary Rowett.
Rowett kept faith with a winning team, making no changes to the side that beat Cardiff City on Boxing Day except on the bench, where Kyle Edwards replaced Josh McEachran.
As against Cardiff, United started on the front foot, although this time they didn't have to wait so long to get in front. Brown made it two goals in two games as he got on the end of Tyler Goodrham's cross to steer his header home after 14 minutes for the start the U's would have wished for.
It was almost 2-0 four minutes later when Mark Harris did well to shake off his marker and get a shot away from close range, but Conor Hazard read the danger and managed to get a block in to keep the ball out.
The game was half an hour old when Argyle almost found their way back into it when Darko Gyabi's shot was deflected onto the crossbar by Will Vaulks. From the resulting corner United broke through Goodrham's through ball to Płacheta, but the Plymouth defence were able to get back to prevent his cross to Harris and deny a replica of the first goal on Boxing Day.
There were further opportunities from Goodrham, whose effort from distance was cut out, and Płacheta, who brought a diving save out of Hazard with a low shot from a tight angle on the right. Elliott Moore's header hit the top of the bar but, despite their dominance, the U's were unable to extend the scoreline before the break.
It took until the hour mark for United to extend their lead and it was another great finish from Płacheta. Set free by a finely weighted pass from Rúben Rodrigues, the Polish winger raced into the area, where Hazard came out to meet him. As Płacheta checked back, it looked like the chance had gone, but he swivelled and squeezed the ball home to double Oxford's advantage.
This time around, there was to be no repeat of any late scares as the U's managed the game well. In truth, Plymouth rarely looked like a threat and Jamie Cumming had little to do.
Two goals and a clean sheet to end the year and set the U's on their way into a run of four successive away games, including the return game at Home Park. See you all on the road to Millwall.
UNITED: Cumming, Long, Brown, Vaulks, Moore, Płacheta (El Mizouni 72), Brannagan, Harris (Scarlett 86), Goodrham (ter Avest 86), Rodrigues (Phillips 72), Leigh
Unused subs: Ingram, Sibley, Dembélé, Edwards, Kioso
Attendance: 11,438 including 1,478 away fans
Fifty/50 draw: Ticket 25841 wins £1,552.50
Report: Martin Brodetsky; Photography: JasonPix, Steve Daniels, Steve Edmunds
