THE Oxford Mail player ratings after Oxford United drew 1-1 at Reading in the first derby clash in the league between the two sides for more than 20 years.
JAMES BEADLE
Couldn’t really do much about the goal conceded on what was a pretty quiet night for the Brighton & Hove Albion loanee – 7.5
FIN STEVENS
Relatively comfortable evening defensively against Reading’s inexperienced left-hand side – 6.5
ELLIOTT MOORE
Headed wide from a corner, and alongside his defensive colleagues, at times guilty of overplaying at the back instead of trying to progress up the pitch – 7
JORDAN THORNILEY
Made two excellent blocks in the first half, and was then taken off at the break having picked up a yellow card. BOOKED – 7
CIARON BROWN
Great header to put the U’s ahead, although he had an uncomfortable first half coming up against the dangerous Femi Azeez, who caused problems with his trickery – 7.5
MARCUS MCGUANE
Showed glimpses of wanting to take the game by the scruff of the neck by dragging U’s up the pitch, but not regularly enough – 6.5
JOSH MCEACHRAN
Played some great crossfield passes to switch the play, but was also sometimes guilty of slowing things down too much – 7
STAN MILLS
Played in two excellent crosses in the first half, the second of which was headed in by Brown – 7.5
CAMERON BRANNAGAN
Started to dictate the tempo of the game in the final 20 minutes or so, with array of passing. Lack of runners in front let him down though in the closing stages – 7.5
JOSH MURPHY
His electric pace got him into dangerous areas, and he had a chance in stoppage time of his own making, however he shot narrowly wide. MAN OF THE MATCH – 8
MARK HARRIS
Failed to get on the end of a wicked Mills cross having not gambled early enough, however was left with little else to feed off – 6.5
SUBSTITUTES
Joe Bennett (for Thorniley, 46)
Pretty solid second half display and kept Azeez quiet down the Royals right – 6.5
Tyler Goodrham (for Mills, 66)
Nice and bright when he came on, and looked to be direct against his marker – 7
Billy Bodin (for Harris, 66)
Had a shot deflected wide at the death and looked to ruffle up some feathers in the Reading defence – 7
James Henry (for McEachran, 86)
Unused: Eastwood, Smyth, O’Donkor.
Substitutes who come on after the 75th minute do not get a rating.
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