- Mark Robins’ men produced a dominant display to progress from round three
- Palmer was the star of the show before Matty Godden scored twice late on
- It’s about survival! FA Cup replays must remain for the good of English football – It’s All Kicking Off
Critics say the FA Cup has lost its magic. Try telling that to Coventry, who played their part in another third-round thriller as they thrashed Oxford United.
It is almost a year to the day since Coventry were dumped out of the competition at the same stage and venue by then National League Wrexham in a game which featured seven goals.
And there were eight here, four of which – including a 30-yard wonder-strike from Coventry’s Kasey Palmer – came inside the first 17 minutes.
Coventry, a team with considerable FA Cup pedigree having lifted the famous trophy in 1987, led 3-1 after that crazy and chaotic opening.
It set them up for a comfortable victory as Mark Robins’ men ruthlessly demonstrated the gulf in class between the two sides to reach round four.
Coventry brushed aside Oxford United to advance to the fourth round of the FA Cup
Simon Eastwood of Oxford makes a good save at the feet of Ellis Simms
‘We did a really professional job and there was some unbelievable quality there,’ said Robins. ‘We blew them away in the first bit. Some of those goals were absolutely incredible.’
The hosts went ahead through Joel Latibeaudiere’s header but Oxford – backed by a 3,000-strong away support, many of whom had travelled from severely flooded areas – hit back immediately.
Palmer was the guilty party as he gave the ball away and Mark Harris made him pay as his shot from outside the area was deflected and beat Coventry goalkeeper Ben Wilson.
But the Sky Blues were back in front barely 60 seconds later as Ellis Simms’ pull-back was steered home by captain Ben Sheaf.
Palmer then made amends for his earlier error as he collected the ball, cleverly turned his man and unleashed a sensational effort which flew into the top corner. We may not see a better one in the competition all season.
‘It is the best one we’ve seen for a while,’ said Robins. ‘A beautiful, outstanding goal.’
Coventry City’s Ben Sheaf (centre) and team-mates applaud the fans after the final whistle
Coventry had the tie sewn up five minutes into the second half, with Palmer again involved. He was cleaned out by Oxford defender Ciaron Brown after a neat interchange with Callum O’Hare, who stepped up and cooly converted the resulting penalty.
Tyler Goodrham’s 20-yard drive reduced the deficit but substitute Matty Godden scored a well-taken brace inside four minutes to end Oxford’s faint hopes of a comeback.
Oxford’s afternoon went from bad to worse as substitute Stan Mills was stretchered off in stoppage time and was taken to hospital. ‘He’s in the best hands and we hope he’s okay,’ said manager Des Buckingham.
