Oxford Utd Vs West Brom: Oxford secure rare win as Baggies’ woes deepen
oxford utd vs west brom ended in a 2-1 victory for Oxford United at the Kassam Stadium, a result that halted Oxford's scoring drought at home and intensified West Bromwich Albion's relegation concerns. The outcome matters for both clubs’ survival battles and follows managerial change at West Brom earlier in the week.
Oxford Utd Vs West Brom: match result and key moments
Oxford United took a deserved 2-0 lead after 26 minutes. Stanley Mills put the hosts in front with a header from Jamie Donley’s corner, then Will Lankshear rose to head in Cameron Brannagan’s floated free-kick for his first league goal since New Year's Day. The Baggies cut the lead soon after when substitute Oliver Bostock’s shot from the edge of the box was deflected off Cameron Brannagan and into the Oxford net. Krystian Bielik had a late headed chance from Alex Mowatt's free kick with six minutes remaining but missed wide, and Oxford held on for the 2-1 win.
Match flow, chances and late drama
Oxford started the better and ended a club-record run without a home goal when Mills headed in — their first home goal since Boxing Day. West Brom’s afternoon was disrupted when Mikey Johnston limped off midway through the first half and was replaced by Oliver Bostock. After the break Josh Maja’s weak header fell into Jamie Cumming’s arms, Isaac Price had a shot blocked, and Aune Heggebo wasted a decent chance with nine minutes left. Substitute Aidomo Emakhu later snatched at a chance to make the game safe when he had more time than he realised.
Championship implications and table context
The loss extends West Brom’s winless league run to 11 matches and increased their away defeats to 13 this season, the most of any side in the division. They have not won away from home since the start of October and remain a point above the relegation zone. Oxford’s victory was their first in seven Championship matches and moved them three points off West Brom and two points off 22nd-placed Leicester City. Leicester had lost 2-0 at home to Norwich City in the lunchtime kick-off, leaving both Oxford and West Brom acutely aware of the significance of the result.
Team news: injuries, absences and availability
Oxford United face several availability issues. Brian De Keersmaecker will miss the rest of the season after deciding to undergo surgery on a shoulder injury that has kept him out since the win at Leicester City in January. Tyler Goodrham and Greg Leigh were also listed as unavailable. Jamie McDonnell and Brodie Spencer remained doubts after scans on ankle injuries sustained last weekend, while Jamie Donley was absent on Wednesday night but was in line to return to the squad within the next week.
West Brom were missing centre-half Chris Mepham, who sustained a hamstring injury just over two weeks ago, and Karlan Grant, who remained absent with the same issue. Additional unavailable players included Tammer Bany and Joshua Griffiths.
Managerial picture and James Morrison's message
Eric Ramsay was sacked after nine games in charge following Tuesday's 1-1 draw with Charlton Athletic. James Morrison stepped up to take over first-team affairs and had urged the squad to show courage, personality and quality in the upcoming match. The 39-year-old had been unbeaten in three games when taking charge prior to this fixture — with a draw at Cardiff City, a win at Luton Town at the end of the 2024/25 term, and a penalty shootout triumph over Swansea City in the FA Cup in January. Morrison spoke of focused training meetings over two days, the need for more crosses and shots, and the desire for the supporters to feel proud of the team’s effort; he expected tactical awareness and bravery on the ball from his players. He also anticipated making significant changes to style and personnel following the departure of Eric Ramsay earlier in the week.
Matchday logistics and head-to-head history
The game was scheduled at the Kassam Stadium with a 3: 00pm kick-off. Local travel arrangements were affected by the closure of the A34/A4130 Milton Interchange, prompting changes to the OX2 matchday buses: one OX2 starts from Steventon and the other from Didcot, both diverted Milton Park and into Milton Village to Drayton. Due to heavy traffic from Didcot to Drayton, the OX2 will pick up at Didcot stops 30 minutes earlier than normal, and both OX2 buses are expected to pick up in Drayton at their normal times for a 3pm kick-off. Supporters wishing to board at Milton Heights were advised to head to Steventon, and those wanting to get off at Steventon on the return journey were reminded to board the correct OX2. The Milton interchange closure affected fans who use the junction to access the A34 from Didcot, Milton, East Hendred, Wantage, Grove and surrounding villages. An alternative OX1 Football Special bus starts in Charlton and picks up in Wantage, Grove, East Hanney, Marcham and Abingdon. The PDF timetable was noted to be out of date; supporters were advised to insert the date of the fixture to access the correct pick-up times.
Historically, the two clubs have met 26 times since 1973, with Oxford recording five wins and eight draws. The most recent victory for Oxford in the fixture dates back to 1998, when Malcolm Shotton’s side won 3-0 courtesy of goals from Joey Beauchamp, Paul Powell and Simon Marsh. The first meeting this season had ended in a 2-1 victory for West Brom at The Hawthorns, after Will Lankshear gave Oxford the lead with around half an hour remaining before an own goal and an Aune Heggebo strike turned the game in favour of the hosts. The last clash at the Kassam Stadium prior to this match took place in October 2024, when Dane Scarlett’s stoppage-time goal rescued a point for the hosts.
