Oxford United will make their third Wembley appearance in April when they feature in the Johnstones Paint Trophy final.
Despite a 0-1 loss to Millwall on the night’s area final, the U’s progressed to Wembley having won 2-0 at the New Den a few weeks back thanks to a brace from Kemar Roofe.
It was a nervy evening for the League Two side. Despite an aggregate lead, the U’s began the game on the back foot as the promotion chasing League One Lions looked to reduce the deficit.
Millwall skipper Steve Morison headed an early chance wide of U’s keeper Benji Büchel’s goal as the visitors searched for the opener.
With over 10,000 fans packed into the Kassam Stadium, the atmosphere was electric, but it couldn’t prevent the Lions from dominating large spells of the first period. That said, the U’s held strong, particularly in defence, where skipper Jake Wright, alongside Johnny Mullins, Joe Skarz and Jonjoe Kenny, who was making his full debut at right back following the departure of George Baldock, stood firm.
As the U’s got into the game, striker Danny Hylton, who replaced Jordan Bowery in the starring line-up, chased any loose ball, and his presence unnerved the Millwall defence throughout the first half.
A clever finish from Lee Gregory had given the League One side a chance, but after going down to ten men they were unable to find another way past the U’s, who now head for Wembley for the third time in their history.
Millwall were also wary of the threat that the U’s could muster on the counter attack, particularly in the shape of Roofe, who shot just wide midway through the first half, before Büchel made his first save from Lee Gregory.
It was goalless at the break, meaning the U’s needed to hang on just 45 minutes before they booked their place at Wembley. Büchel was forced into an early second half save from Morison, before Hylton shot straight at Lions keeper Jordan Archer as the U’s looked to open the scoring on the night.
But the resilient home defence were unable to keep a clean sheet. Former Portsmouth playmaker Jed Wallace picked the ball before he drove through midfield, before squaring the ball to Gregory who reduced the deficit.
Tensions were running high from both sets of supporters. The U’s fans were beginning to feel a comeback on the cards, whilst Millwall believed they had another goal in them. But then, a potential turning point. Hylton battled his way to the edge of the box before referee Scott Duncan showed a straight red card to Mark Beevers who brought the U’s forward down.
From the resulting free kick, Callum O’Dowda forced Archer into a fine save as the shot appeared to be sailing into the top corner. From the resulting corner, Alex MacDonald could have leveled on the night and restored the U’s two goal aggregate lead, but his header sailed just wide.
With nothing to lose, Millwall pressed. However, this opened the game up for the U’s and Roofe could have netted but was unable to find a way past Archer. Substitute Fred Onyedinma came close for the visitors but his effort was off target, and from there the tie was settled.
Over the two legs, Oxford were the better side against the higher league opposition, and they’ll be up against higher league opposition at Wembley too. But for now, congratulations to Oxford United.
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