Joey Beauchamp, the young man who became famous for not wanting to travel far
from his beloved Oxford, was the driving force behind their second-round
second-leg victory.
His first-half goal left a makeshift Everton side scrambling to save
themselves from embarrassment, and they failed dismally.
Oxford, living on a shoestring still, can now hope for a financial reward,
after being robbed of FA Cup glory and riches by a cruel injury-time penalty
against Chelsea last season.
This victory centred around tremendous defensive performances by skipper Les
Robinson, and centre-backs Steve Davis and youth team coach Mickey Lewis.
Everton paid the price for the gamble of playing their fringe players, and
were booed off at the end. They fielded only two of the side that beat West Ham
on Sunday - and it showed.
Youngsters Peter Degn and Phil Jevons made their full debuts, and for much of
the first-half, at least, Everton misfired in all directions.
Oxford were the more effective, and looked more interested - particularly
Beachaump, who hit the bar from 20 yards.
The warning went unheeded though as he cracked Oxford into a 12th-minute
lead.
Paul Powell crossed from the left, Matt Murphy nodded the ball back, and
Beauchamp was unmarked 12 yards out to drill the ball past a helpless Steve
Simonsen, making his home debut.
Beauchamp had a 35-yard free-kick held, while Everton's best efforts of a
lacklustre half were drives from Gareth Farrelly - starting his first Everton
match since his goal against Coventry last year kept the Toffees in the
Premiership - and Alex Cleland, which both went inches wide.
The second period started with Everton throwing on their first-choice strike
force of Kevin Campbell and Francis Jeffers to try to rescue the situation, at
the expense of Jevons and Degn.
Everton looked more determined but at the other end Murphy should have put the
game beyond doubt after 47 minutes when he was put clear but shot over the
angle.
Everton, for all their pressure, could only create an opening for Jeffers
which the youngster half hit at keeper Andre Arendse, and Oxford defended with
character and application to frustrate the Premiership side.
Nicky Barmby was finally sent from the bench with 15 minutes left in another
attempt to shift the balance of power.
With the minutes ticking away, Oxford created another glittering chance when
Steve Anthrobus fired in a cross from the left, and Murphy managed to fail to
connect from just two yards.
Rarely was Arendse troubled, but with six minutes to go, he flapped at a
Barmby corner, and when Scot Gemmill's shot fizzed into the box and was flicked
on by Dunne, the South African 'keeper somehow managed to run back towards his
goal to clutch the ball.
A foul on Campbell by Steve Davis, a yard outside the box in injury-time, gave
Mitch Ward the chance of a late equaliser from a free-kick, but the skipper for
the night lifted the effort high over, and Oxford were ensured their night of
glory.
Teams:
Everton: Simonsen, Cleland, Ball, Weir, Dunne, Ward, Gemmill, Farrelly (Barmby 75), Degn (Jeffers 45), Cadamarteri,Jevons (Campbell 45).
Subs Not Used: Gerrard, O'Kane.
Booked: Degn, Ward.
Oxford Utd: Arendse, Robinson, Powell, Fear, Beauchamp, Davis, Lewis, Murphy, Tait, Anthrobus (Lilley 89), Folland.
Subs Not Used: Cook, Lundin, Lambert, McGowan.
Booked: Powell.
Goals: Beauchamp 12.
Agg (1-2)
Att: 10,006
Ref: A Wilkie (Chester Le Street).
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