To mark Oxford United’s Milk Cup success 30 seasons ago, the Oxford Mail are delving into their archives to show how the run was reported round-by-round on the corresponding date this season.

Oxford United 3, Newcastle United 1

OXFORD United moved majestically into the last 16 of the Milk Cup draw – thanks to a simple newspaper cutting, writes JOHN LEY.

The cutting, carrying less than complimentary quotes from Newcastle’s Peter Beardsley, found its way onto the United dressing room notice board before last night’s game.

Beardsley had been heavily critical about United’s approach after the 3-0 defeat at St James’ Park five weeks ago.

But the Newcastle striker was forced to eat his words as Andy Thomas slammed another brace to put United into the last 16 of the Milk Cup.

Thomas scored either side of the break, and with Trevor Hebberd adding a third, United made a mockery of the fact that they were without the men who scored 52 goals last term.

Thomas scored two crackers, Charles dominated in the air, while little Les Phillips received a well-earned standing ovation when he left the field a minute early suffering from cramp.

Add to that the dominant performance of Neil Slatter at left back, the driving force of Ray Houghton from the right and the confidence of the rest of the side and you have the basis of a team which, given a touch of luck, can go all the way to Wembley.

Bicester Advertiser:

  • Oxford United skipper Malcolm Shotton celebrates the first goal during the 3-1 win over Newcastle with scorer Andy Thomas

Injuries forced the visitors to make changes, with Tony Cunningham coming in for George Reilly up front, while midfielder Neil McDonald was forced to switch to right back for the first time in his career.

United took the lead after 19 minutes when Houghton’s corner from the left was nodded on by Malcolm Shotton and headed low from close range by Thomas.

Earlier Newcastle’s Paul Gascoigne had been hurt in the face and immediately after the goal he was replaced by Alan Davies.

United should have increased their lead after 28 minutes when Houghton’s superb through ball split the defence but Charles wasted the chance.

Newcastle, without a kick at goal, suddenly turned the game their way albeit thanks to a defensive blunder.

A long kick from McDonald bounced into the Oxford area, where Briggs and Shotton were waiting.

They seemed uncertain what to do while Steve Hardwick rushed off his line allowing Cunningham the chance to get a head to the ball and watch gleefully as it bounced over the keeper and rolled agonisingly into an empty net. Within six minutes of the restart, Thomas regained United’s lead. Charles did all the hard work before heading neatly into Thomas’s path.

The striker saw his namesake slightly off his line and volleyed a quite brilliant shot into the top left hand corner.

Thomas should have completed his hat-trick in the 75th minute when Hebberd sent him clear yet he skimmed the ball fractionally wide of the left post.

But Thomas it was who helped Hebberd to United’s all important third in the 77th minute when he cut the ball back from the byeline and Hebberd scooped the ball into the top right hand corner.

United continued to pressurise Newcastle’s shabby looking defence, and to the delight of the United supporters, Beardsley had his name taken in the dying minutes for a foul on Phillips.

Oh, how Beardsley must have wished he’d kept his mouth shut just a few weeks back!

Oxford United: Hardwick, Langan, Slatter, Phillips (Trewick 89 min), Briggs, Shotton, Houghton, Thomas, Charles, Hebberd, Rhoades-Brown.

Newcastle United: M Thomas, Megson, Anderson, McCreery, Clarke, Roeder, McDonald, Gascoigne (Davies 19 min), Cunningham, Beardsley, Stewart .

Referee: J Bray (Leicestershire).

Attendance: 8,096.

Bicester Advertiser:

  • How the Oxford Mail reported the win over Newcastle United on October 31, 1985