Today I'm going back 39 years to 1983 and Newcastle United's visit to the Manor Ground to play Oxford United in the League Cup 2nd Round, 2nd Leg in front of a bumper midweek crowd of 13,040 (the video attached to my blog shows that there were even a few fans who made their way up onto the stand roof such was the interest in this game). Second Division (now Championship) Newcastle had slipped up in the 1st Leg at St James' Park but had managed to snatch a late equaliser via Terry McDermott to salvage something from the game and were now fancied to finish the job at Third Division (now League 1) Oxford United. I remember attending the game very well because a few of us were living and working down in Winchester at the time and had driven up to Oxford to support Newcastle that night with our Geordie colleague "Big Stu" Phillips (RIP).
Jim Smith's Oxford were sitting pretty at the top of the Third Division at the time but Arthur Cox's Newcastle too were riding high in the Second Division so we anticipated a humdinger of a clash between two form teams who would be full of confidence. The first goal that evening went to Oxford and it also gave them the aggregate lead in the tie with a Kevin Brock centre being expertly dispatched by striker Neil Whatmore. Before half-time, Oxford managed another goal with Thomas scoring against Thomas!. Oxford's Andy Thomas skipped his way through the Newcastle defence before unleashing an unstoppable shot past United goalkeeper Martin Thomas. Oxford played magnificently on the night and could and probably should have scored more with George Lawrence having a couple of good chances and Andy Thomas also hitting the bar. However, the tide began to turn following the dismissal of Oxford's Gary Briggs by referee Clive Thomas for two bookable offences (the second being a foul on St Kevin Keegan). Great work by Peter Beardsley then set up a goal for Keegan but it proved to be too little too late as Oxford held on for a famous victory.
Oxford drew Second Division Leeds United in the 3rd Round and hammered them 4-1 after a 1-1 draw at Elland Road before pulling a plum tie against Manchester United in the 4th Round. To general surprise, Oxford weren't overawed by their top flight opponents and drew with United twice before beating them 2-1 after extra time in the Second Replay at the Manor Ground. Oxford's luck finally ran out in the 5th Round (Quarter-Final) where they went out to Everton 4-1 albeit only after a Replay. Everton went on to reach the Final that season but lost 1-0 to Liverpool after yet another Replay. Both Oxford and Newcastle went on to end the season with promotion from their respective Divisions.
CRB Match No. 267
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