AFC Telford 4 Oxford City 0 - match report
AFC Telford United raced back to the top of the Skrill Conference North with the hard work done by half-time in their first-ever game against Oxford City.
Two goals from Luton Town loanee Shaun Whalley made of all the difference at the New Bucks Head today, as strikers Adam Farrell and Andy Owens also weighed in with strikes.
The Bucks soon made a statement of their intent and were swarming forward as early as the second minute, City goalkeeper Matthew Bulman having to punch away Matthew McGinn's free-kick.
Pressure told on the visitors in the 11th minute as the visitors shot themselves in the foot, defender Mark Preece found dithering on the ball for far too long.
That allowed McGinn to rob the City defender and the tap the ball across to Whalley on the left, who took the ball on and steered his finish away from the dive of Bulman to break the deadlock.
In the 18th minute, Telford took command through Owens' fifth goal of the season which finally saw the unveiling of his goal celebration, 'the camel.'
He was stuffing the ball up the back of his shirt after a close range finish under the floored Bulman, after strike partner Farrell broke on the right to spray a low ball across the box.
It was all over five minutes before the break when another McGinn assist found Whalley on the other wing, who took on Paul Stonehouse before beating Bulman in almost the same spot.
Just when City thought it couldn't get any worse, Bulman was forced out to impede Whalley, who was trying to round him, and ended up chopping down the Bucks winger.
The City shot-stopper escaped with a booking but the penalty stood, leaving Farrell with the chance to return to the top of the club's scoring charts.
Joint top goal-getter Mike Grogan looked on as he stepped up to send Bulman the wrong way from the spot, slotting the ball home to the custodian's left for his 13th goal of the season.
There were no further strikes after the break, although Telford substitute Tony Gray came close with an effort that squirmed past the post as Bulman was rooted to the spot in the 87th minute.
Goalkeeper Ryan Young preserved the clean sheet for the home side with a minute to go, saving with his legs from City substitute Kayden Jackson effort.
