Oxford United vs Swindon Town. Sky Bet League Two.
The Kassam StadiumAttendance11,825.
Saturday 3 March 2012 15:12, UK
Oxford overcame the early dismissal of James Constable to end Swindon's 10-game winning streak with a 2-0 triumph in a red-hot local derby.
The play-off chasing U's have now completed the double over their fierce rivals in a season which sees the clubs locked in league combat for the first time in 11 years. Constable, with 11 goals so far this term, turned down a £200,000 move to Swindon in January but was shown a red card for elbowing Joe Devera in the 11th minute. But if they were rocked by the early setback, Chris Wilder's team refused to let it show as they recovered immediately to score twice inside a few minutes. First, Asa Hall prodded in Lee Holmes' free-kick from close range with goalkeeper Wes Foderingham caught in no-man's land. Then, barely 90 seconds later, Holmes was again the architect with some great play down the left, providing a perfect low cross that Oli Johnson tapped in at the far post. As Swindon pressed, Simon Ferry smashed a fierce 20-yard drive against the inside of the post, and in the second half Ryan Clarke saved several efforts from Luke Rooney before Paul Benson headed straight at him from a corner. But Oxford rode out the danger superbly with just 10 men to deny Paolo Di Canio's Robins any consolation.
