Oxford United manager Des Buckingham lauded his team for weathering a storm against free-scoring Peterborough United to get to the League One play-off final at Wembley.
Oxford drew 1-1 at the Weston Homes Stadium on Wednesday night to take a 2-1 aggregate victory. The 1-0 first-leg victory was decisive, but how Posh didn’t win the second match was perplexing. They had about 70% possession and won the shot count 18-5. Oxford’s only on-target shot of the night was a penalty converted by Cameron Brannagan in first-half added time, barely four minutes after Josh Knight put Posh ahead.
“We knew coming here would be tough as Peterborough are an excellent team with some wonderful players,” Buckingham stated. “They were the league’s leading goalscorers for a cause. We knew we’d have to endure a storm, but we didn’t expect it to last as long as it did!
“But the players demonstrated a strong willingness to defend what we had. I’m thrilled with the work ethic and to see how much what we’ve just accomplished means to the players and staff.
Posh put late pressure on the Oxford goal. Photo by David Lowndes.
Posh put late pressure on the Oxford goal. Photo by David Lowndes.
“It will undoubtedly be the most proud moment of my life to lead my hometown team at Wembley Stadium in my first season here. We’ve had some difficult times along the way, but everyone has pulled together so strongly, and it’s amazing for everyone involved with the football club.
“It will be a special experience for me to lead my hometown club at Wembley in my first season. We’ve had some difficult times along the way, but everyone has pulled together so strongly, and it’s amazing for everyone involved with the football club.
“I can’t wait to attempt to go one step farther and win the championship. What a lovely experience this will be. We are confident that we will sell out or reach our allocation. If we can recreate the atmosphere we had with 12,000 people at the Kassam with 35-40,000 at Wembley, it will be incredible.”
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