Logue fires Stars winner

Oxford United Stars1

CHURCHILL United lost out to near rivals Oxford United Stars, at Wilton Park in an eagerly contested game on Saturday.

The home side created the first chance when captain Gary Simpson took a free kick in midfield quickly, which Cathal Deery dummied and allowed Robbie Godfrey a chance on goal but he could only find the keeper’s mid-rift.

Oxford then went close themselves from a corner which was headed just over. Another Simpson free kick found Deery whose header was blocked and then his shot was saved at the front post by the Oxford keeper.

After twenty minutes a diagonal Brian Devine pass put Godfrey in again, he passed the ball around the keeper but it was cleared away by the covering defender.

The visitors then created a glorious chance when their left winger cut the ball back inside the penalty area where it was well hit but Brown produced a very good save and then the follow up effort was blocked well by JP White.

With forty minutes on the clock Oxford opened the scoring with a very good strike. Again it was Oxford’s left winger who caused the problems, his cross was cleared to the edge of the area where it was met on the volley by Logue who connected perfectly with the ball and it sailed past Brown who was left with no chance.

In the second half Churchill started the brighter and were awarded a penalty when Godfrey knocked the ball round the keeper before being brought down. Brian Devine stepped up to take the spot kick but he forced a good save from the Oxford keeper and the ball was cleared.

Godfrey had another two chances to level the game up but on both occasions he shot over from decent positions. For twenty minutes Churchill had Oxford under a bit of pressure trying to find the equaliser but the visitors defended well and then with the game starting to get stretched Oxford were looking dangerous on the break, especially down the left.

They created a few good chances, Brown making a good save when one on one, also they failed to get on the end of some very dangerous crosses.

The defeat will hurt Churchill who probably felt they done enough to at least deserve a point, Oxford will have been glad to see the game out after scoring a goal good enough to win any game. Churchill now travel to Roe Valley hoping to get back on track.