McClean hat-hero for Oxford reserves

Stranmilis Reserves 2

NIALL McClean scored a hat-trick to help Oxford Reserves on their way to a deserved three points on Saturday against Stranmillis Reserves in Lisburn.

Right from the first whistle Oxford were on the attack, with Ruiri Crilly having what looked like a fine goal ruled out for offside.

The Stranmillis keeper also got down well to deny McClean after a great run from Paul Hughes.

McClean finally broke the deadlock bundling home a Mulholland inswinging corner.

Crilly could have been on the score sheet again after being sent through one on one with the keeper and his attempted lob went the wrong side of the crossbar.

Stranmillis were limited to a few set pieces as the backline of Mckee, Totten, Fox and Toman were like a brick wall.

Shortly before half-time McCrory picked up the ball on the right side of midfield and played a superb curling pass around the Stranmillis left back for Niall McClean to run on to and his finish was to match as he lifted the ball over the diving keeper and into the far corner of the net to make it 2-nil.

Oxford continued to pile on the pressure and this paid off as McCrory forced the keeper into a decent save which went out for a corner.

The delivery was perfect from Mulholland as the ball fell to Colly Toman who caught it crisply on the volley and low into the net from the edge of the six yard box to put Oxford three up at the break.

In the second half Oxford continued to press with Hughes getting more involved and one of his runs saw him scythed down in the box for a stonewall penalty.

There was to be only one taker and Niall McClean coolly sent the keeper the wrong way to score his third and Oxford's fourth.

The score line could have been much more with McClean hitting the bar followed by Hughes hitting a half volley which also smacked off the crossbar.

Again at the other end Stranmillis were finding the Oxford defence very hard to penetrate partly thanks to great work in midfield by Paul Mulholland and Paul McClean.

However, they were awarded and converted a penalty after Fox seemed to do nothing more than stand his ground.

Any hope of an unlikely comeback were quickly ended as Oxford went up the other end and a good cross by Tipping found McCrory at the back post who finished well from an angle.

It was Oxford’s fifth goal of the day and the team's 50th goal in all competitions this season before they have reached the halfway point of the league campaign which is quite remarkable and the attacking football on display at times has been a joy to watch.

Right on the full-time whistle Stranmillis were awarded another penalty as the ref seemed to spot a handball in the box.

The penalty was scored to provide little consolation for the opposition as Oxford ran out much deserved winners on the day with Man of the Match award going to hat-trick hero Niall McClean.