Oxford head coach Des Buckingham labelled Oisin Smyth’s winner at Charlton a “wonderful strike” but admitted he would have been just as happy with a scrappy goal if it clinched three points.
Smyth’s first goal in English football was an unstoppable right-footed strike from about 30 yards out which flew into the top right corner of Ashley Maynard-Brewer’s net as the U’s came from behind to collect a first victory on the road since November 11.
“That’s a wonderful strike,” said Buckingham. “That’s his first start for the club and his first goal for the club – for it to be the winning goal and come as it did, it is a very pleasing way for him individually but also us as a team.
“We’re missing quite a few players at the moment and we had to change our system to adapt. We even lost a player from our starting line-up this morning. We had to change this morning in terms of personnel.
“Second half it felt like there was a goal coming – I didn’t know from where. I’d take it from two yards or I’d take it from 30 yards if it was going to be the winner.
“It will be a hard act for him (Smyth) to follow up. Our midfield has contributed quite heavily to our goalscoring tally.
“I’m pleased also for Mark Harris, he’s worked really hard in the last 10-15 games and not quite had the rub of the green in terms of finishing.
“That will put him in a good space and hopefully relieve a little bit of pressure that I’m sure was building.”
Chem Campbell had put Charlton in front after five minutes, converting after Oxford goalkeeper James Beadle only parried Corey Blackett-Taylor’s shot.
Oxford made it 1-1 through striker Harris, who met Finley Stevens’ cross at the near post in the 22nd minute.
Smyth, signed from Dungannon Swifts in January 2022, then produced his rocket to ensure the visitors climbed one place to fifth in the standings.
The Addicks have lost their last three in a row in a six-match winless run that has killed off any lingering hopes they could make a push for the top six.
Head coach Michael Appleton was missing his three main strikers with top-scorer Alfie May, Chuks Aneke and Miles Leaburn all ruled out due to injuries.
The Addicks were booed off at the end and asked if he understood the reaction, Appleton said: “Yeah, but there has to be perspective as well – which there never is in football.
“We’re not complete idiots. You win and everything is fantastic, you lose and everything is not fantastic – that’s the business we’re in and I get that.
“We’ve got nine injuries and probably at least six or seven are first-team regulars. In the first seven or eight games we never lost and we looked like we were going to roll teams over three or four-nil.
“I can’t ask any more of the players. They gave me everything they could – probably 60-65 minutes on the front foot.
“I didn’t feel they were particularly going to score (in the second half). You don’t expect to concede a goal from nearly 40 yards.”
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