AHEAD of each of United’s games this season, we are looking back at memorable matches against their next opponents.
August 11, 2001: Oxford Utd 1, Rochdale 2
OXFORD United started life at the Kassam Stadium with a defeat as the new ground’s opening party fell flat.
Jamie Brooks scored the U’s first competitive goal at Grenoble Road, but strikes from Rochdale’s Matt Doughty and Simon Coleman ensured the visitors took all three points.
Almost 9,000 fans flocked to the new stadium for United’s first game in the fourth tier for 36 years, but it quickly became apparent the hosts were not going to be given an easy ride.
Rochdale successfully disrupted the flow of the game and never allowed the new-look U’s to settle, taking the lead through Doughty after half an hour.
The home side huffed and puffed as they struggled to create many clear-cut openings, but they were level seven minutes after the break through Brooks.
The rising star raced clear to send a shot beyond Matt Gilks, leaving the crowd hopeful of a memorable comeback.
But United failed to kick on and were behind again on 66 minutes, Coleman striking what proved to be the winner.
Despite offering very little in front of goal themselves, Rochdale held on comfortably to successfully play the role of party poopers.
Oxford United: Knight, Guyett, Stockley, Bolland, Hatswell, Savage, Tait, Powell (Ricketts), Thomas (Omoyinmi), Scott, Brooks.
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