The Bucks recorded their biggest win of the season with a 4-0 demolition of Oxford City.

Match highlights

Match report

Kevin Wilkin’s men started like a train and were ahead after just seven minutes. Khanya Leshabela sent Matty Stenson clean through against Jamie Pardington on the left of the penalty area, and Telford’s goalgetter beat the City keeper with a clinical finish into the far corner.

Stenson sent a shot on the turn narrowly wide of the post shortly afterwards, before Telford’s number 9 then hit the bar from a very acute angle following good work from Jordan Cranston. The Bucks went close again on 15 minutes when Ammar Dyer’s cross from the right looped over Pardington but was cleared away at the back post.

The Bucks were well on top, although the intensity did drop off a little after a high-octane opening 20 minutes. While Wilkin’s men were creating fewer chances now, they were well in control and all but snuffed out any threat from the visitors. Shortly before half time Stenson was a fraction away from doubling his and Telford’s tally, as he sent a glancing header from Cranston’s freekick narrowly off target. 1-0 to the Bucks at half time.

With the next goal crucial, the Bucks reprised their earlier efforts by scoring seven minutes into the half. Cranston’s freekick was partially cleared to Alex Fletcher, who controlled and leathered it home from 12 yards out to grab his first goal for the club and a vital second goal that puts the Bucks in the box seat.

The Bucks were comfortable now and perhaps should have made it three on 72 minutes. Good work from Charlie Williams led to Jamie Meddows ghosting into the box, rounding the keeper but, a little off-balance and from a narrowing angle, he could only find the side netting. Three minutes later, Jimmy Armson found himself in the box with just Pardington to beat, but as he tried to sit the keeper down he couldn’t get his shot away and the chance was gone.

With the games coming to a close, the Bucks finally grabbed the goals that their dominance deserved. In the 89th minute, Ricardo Dinanga made it 3-0 as Cranston’s low cross from a driving run on the left was only partially cleared, and Dinanga smashed it past an exposed Pardington. Then in the 95th minute Oliver Cawthorne bagged his first goal for the club to round off the scoring, heading a Cranston freekick home from close range.

A good 4-0 win for the Bucks which was well-deserved after a controlled performance in which Oxford rarely threatened, and Kevin Wilkin will no doubt be particularly pleased with a first clean shett in the league since August.

Match reaction