Continuing CHARLIE HANSON'S review of the historic 2018-19 campaign that appeared in the Oxford programme - with the Hatters recording some fantastic results throughout March and April that saw them seal promotion before lifting the League One trophy after the only game in May...
MARCH
March had been our bogey month for a number of seasons. Difficult defeats and one horrendous injury sustained by Luke Berry is all that we need as a reminder.
But it wasn’t to be that way this year. Six games, four wins and the unbeaten Conference run of 2013/14 matched as we saw off sides fighting at the wrong end of the table.
The big test on paper came in the form of Doncaster Rovers, but in a scintillating display at Kenilworth Road, Grant McCann’s side were put to the sword in emphatic fashion (Main pic: Kazenga LuaLua celebrates his goal in the 4-0 win in acrobatic style!)
March was rounded off on a beautiful day at Bristol Rovers as Berry marked a year to the day of his injury with what proved to be the winning goal that afternoon.
The Town’s form saw big Mick pick up the Manager of the Month award.
APRIL
Maybe it was the Manager of the Month curse, but if anything, the squad had been performing at such a level, it was inevitable a slight lull would happen.
Jason Cummings got his first goal in a Town shirt at the perfect moment, when he curled in an effort late on against Blackpool to secure a point after being a goal and down to ten men, before our unbeaten record of 28 games came to an end with a 3-1 defeat at Charlton.
We got back on the horse with a comfortable 3-0 win at Accrington, with a victory looking likely late on against Wimbledon, only for Wally Downes’ team to nick a point.
We then headed to in-form Burton, and after taking the lead a brace from Lucas Akins meant that until Peterborough beat Pompey on Tuesday night, it was all to play for today…
It still is, but for title safe in the knowledge that WE ARE GOING UP!
*See picture below for all you need to know about how the one game in MAY ended as Oxford were soundly beaten 3-1 - George Moncur netting twice and Elliot Lee the other - for the Town to secure the Sky Bet League One title in front of our own fans!
