npower League 2
, Apr 14, 2012
Ground: The Kassam Stadium
, Kickoff: 15:00 , Att 7,322
Team news
Clarke concern for U's Oxford could go into their npower League Two clash with Gillingham this weekend without goalkeeper Ryan Clarke.
The U's stopper faces a late fitness test on a rib problem ahead of the visit of the Gills, with Wayne Brown standing by to deputise should Clarke not be fit enough to feature.
Otherwise, Oxford manager Chris Wilder has no new injury or suspension problems to contend with as his side look to cement their place in the play-offs by beating their ninth-placed guests.
Veteran centre-back Michael Duberry returns from a ban and is likely to come back into the starting XI, but Peter Leven (knee), Tom Craddock (knee) and Alfie Potter (broken ankle) will not be available to Wilder on matchday.
Gillingham have received a triple injury blow ahead of the crunch clash.
Midfielders Danny Jackman and Jack Payne will definitely miss out with groin and hamstring injuries respectively while defender Matt Fish faces a late fitness test on a knee problem.
The versatile Charlie Lee (ankle) is also not yet ready to return and is scheduled to rejoin training next week, along with midfielder Curtis Weston (knee).
But it is not all bad news for manager Andy Hessenthaler, who is set to be boosted by the returns of forward Gavin Tomlin (hamstring) and centre-back Simon King (ankle), while goalkeeper Ross Flitney (knee) will also be assessed as he nears his comeback.
It comes after striker Jo Kuffour returned from his knee problem as a second-half substitute in Easter Monday's disappointing 2-1 home defeat to Dagenham.
Oxford Utd vs Gillingham
Last modified 18:02 14/04/12
Us and Gills draw a blank Oxford failed to win for the third home game in a row after a goalless stalemate against Gillingham - but the Us remain in the play-off positions after Crewe could also only draw.
A very tight encounter at the Kassam Stadium saw few good scoring chances for either side.
Gills goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga produced a superb one-handed save from Asa Hall's well-struck shot on the turn in the first half.
At the other end, Liam Davis saved Oxford with two last-ditch blocks. First when Danny Kedwell shot and then when Jo Kuffour burst into the box.
Kuffour also dribbled past two defenders to fire in a low shot that Wayne Brown, making his first League appearance for the hosts, saved at his near post.
In the second half, Hall's bullet-like half volley was headed off the line by Matt Fish. Substitute James Constable added some spark for the Us and set up Oli Johnson for a late opportunity, but Connor Essam dived in to block.
Chris Whelpdale went close in the closing minutes when he ran clear on the left, but Brown saved well.
| Player rating out of ten | Player name | Substitution | Did they score? | Player's disciplinary record | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | Wayne Brown | ||||
| 2 | Damian Batt | ||||
| 5 | Michael Duberry | ||||
| 6 | Jake Wright |
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| 26 | Liam Davis | ||||
| 7 | Adam Chapman(sub 69) |
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| 16 | Andrew Whing | ||||
| 14 | Asa Hall | ||||
| 27 | Cristian Montano(sub 59) |
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| 23 | Scott Rendell | ||||
| 18 | Dean Morgan(sub 81) |
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| Substitutes | |||||
| 34 | Max Crocombe | ||||
| 3 | Anthony Tonkin(sub 81) |
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| 9 | James Constable(sub 69) |
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| 19 | Oli Johnson(sub 59) |
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| 24 | Mark Wilson | ||||
| Player rating out of ten | Player name | Did they score? | Player's disciplinary record | Substitution | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 | Paulo Gazzaniga | ||||
| 16 | Matt Fish | ||||
| 22 | Connor Essam | ||||
| 3 | Andy Frampton | ||||
| 12 | Joe Martin | ||||
| 7 | Chris Whelpdale | ||||
| 19 | Lewis Montrose |
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| 39 | Gavin Tomlin(sub 14) |
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| 33 | Jo Kuffour |
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| 9 | Danny Kedwell |
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| 23 | Rowan Vine(sub 72) |
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| Substitutes | |||||
| 17 | Danny Spiller(sub 14)(sub 88) |
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| 5 | Simon King | ||||
| 11 | Dennis Oli(sub 72) |
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| 24 | Jack Evans | ||||
| 37 | Oliver Lee(sub 88) |
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| Team | Oxford Utd | Gillingham |
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