Classic Arsenal Cup Defeats - Part 2 - Oxford United 3 Arsenal 2 Milk Cup 3rd Round 31/10/1984

CRYING OVER SPILLED MILK

BACK IN the autumn of 1984, little Oxford United were enjoying the best period in their history. Top of Division Two and on the way to promotion to the top flight for the first time, they had in recent years put out of the League Cup the likes of Newcastle United, Leeds United and Manchester United at their tiny Manor Ground.

It was therefore a daunting prospect for Don Howe's Division One leaders Arsenal, who had seen their recent five match winning run come to an end the previous weekend with a 3-1 defeat at West Ham United.

Although the League Cup, re-branded the Milk Cup since 1981 after a sponsorship deal from the Milk Marketing Board, was the only domestic trophy Arsenal had never won, there was a buzz around Highbury that this could finally be their year.

A great start to the season playing a brand of exciting football not previously recognised as a trait of strict defensive coach Howe, Arsenal had led the First Division table for the first time in 11 years.

The defeat at West Ham was seen as just a blip, blamed mainly on injuries to key players like Paul Mariner, Tony Woodcock and Tommy Caton.

The latter two both returned for this first ever visit to the Manor Ground, and with Mariner's replacement, Ian Allinson scoring in the previous two matches, the Gunners started as clear favourites.

Oxford would be no push-overs though. They had lost just once all season and had hit 26 goals in their previous eight home matches.

However it was Arsenal who were settled by an early goal. Graham Rix's shot from 30 yards should not have posed too many problems for Oxford goalkeeper, Steve Hardwick but the ball somehow squirmed through his legs and trickled over the line.

At this stage it was looking comfortable for the Division One leaders. They were ripping Oxford apart at will and only two goal-line clearances in quick succession prevented Stewart Robson making it 2-0.

But the hosts were level with half time approaching. A long cross from the right caught goalkeeper Pat Jennings in two minds and as he hesitated, John Aldridge nipped in to bravely head home.

The Oxford forward, who would later go on to have a great career at Liverpool where he would score many more times against Arsenal, was injured after colliding with Jennings and the goalscorer was carried off on a stretcher.

Temporarily down to 10 ten men while Aldridge received treatment in the changing room, Oxford then surprisingly took the lead.

David Langan whipped in a great cross from the right and it was Aldridge's strike-partner, Billy Hamilton, who planted a header beyond the reach of a rather static Jennings.

This had not been in the script.

The second half saw chances at both ends. Allinson struck the post for Arsenal with a low drive from 20 yards, while at the other end George Lawrence fired over the top after a lovely 1-2 with Hamilton.

But the Gunners were level on the hour mark. Allinson got clear down the left and after beating two defenders on a thrilling run, he drove the ball past Hardwick from 10 yards. Disaster averted it seemed.

The momentum was now very much with the top flight side. Rix tried his luck from distance again only this time Hardwick got his angles right and held on, with Allinson waiting to pounce.

However it was a dreadful mistake from the vastly experienced Jennings that ultimately proved costly for Arsenal.

Langan's speculative effort from 35 yards should not have posed too many problems for a goalkeeper with over 1,000 senior career appearances to his name, but he inexplicably palmed the ball back over his head and into the net.

Jennings later complained that he was carrying a hand injury following the match at West Ham and should not have been playing. But even if that were true it begs the question, why would he try to catch the ball with his injured hand?

At fault for all three goals, this was to be the end for Jennings at Arsenal. He would play only three more games for the club, although he did still appear in the 1986 World Cup for Northern Ireland.

Once back in front Oxford did not look like letting it slip again and Arsenal, who's season was about to completely implode, crashed out of a cup competition to a lower league side for third time in less than a year; their Milk Cup hopes spilled at the Manor.

My abiding memory of this match is of the dilapidated stadium. It was shocking to think this ground, which would not have looked out of place in Division Four, would soon be hosting top flight football.

The open away end behind the goal Arsenal was defending in the second half, the Cuckoo Lane end as it was known, was built on a slant but not in the charming way the old home end was at The Dell, Southampton. No, this was just a monstrosity.

And what on earth was that little white building at the back of the terrace all about?? It reminded me of a cricket scoreboard.

With a fence around the front pinning us in like caged animals, as was common in the 1980s, the view was appalling and I was not able to catch a glimpse of not any of the five goals scored.

So bad was my experience at the Manor that I refused to go back there again in the three years Oxford was in Division One.

The match itself was typical of many from the period. We played well at times, looking likely to go on and score several times, but in the end it we were punished for some terrible defensive mistakes.

Pat, I love you man but what on earth was you doing??

So while cup shocks and the mid 80s seemed to go hand in hand, just over two years later we would finally win this competition, although it had been re-branded again to the Littlewoods Cup.

Coming up next time I look back on the career of the man who would very soon replace Pat Jennings in goal; John Lukic. It should be a good one so look out for that.