Raynes "buzzing" after scoring late winner for Oxford United

9:30am Wednesday 13th March 2013 in U's News Photograph of the Author By David Pritchard, Chief Sports Reporter covering Oxford United. Follow us on twitter: @oxfordmailoufc. Call me on 01865 425458

United defender Michael Raynes celebrates his last-gasp winner against Barnet last night United defender Michael Raynes celebrates his last-gasp winner against Barnet last night

MICHAEL Raynes was “absolutely buzzing” after scoring a 95th-minute winner for Oxford United last night.

The U’s looked to be on course for a goalless draw against Barnet, which would have done serious damage to their outside chance of making the play-offs.

Their rhythm had been upset by two delays when the netting of one of the goals collapsed, but the added stoppage time proved extremely useful.

Raynes provided the priceless breakthrough, heading in from close range to spark jubilant scenes at the Kassam Stadium.

The centre back, who endured a nightmare evening against former side Rotherham United in a 4-0 defeat exactly a week earlier, was ecstatic to bag the winner.

He said: “I was just thinking ‘don’t miss’! It was a great ball back across from Tommy Craddock and I couldn’t do anything else really.

“It’s a great feeling. I’ve had a lot of bad nights here – last week was one of the lowest points of my career, but fingers crossed, we’ve put that to bed now and made a lot of people happy.

“I’m absolutely buzzing. It’s the best time to score and any goal for a centre half is an unbelievable feeling.”

It wrapped up a fifth win in seven games for the U’s, who made up ground on several other rivals in the top half of the table.

Boss Chris Wilder felt a victory in such dramatic fashion was overdue and praised the attitude of his side to keep searching for a breakthrough.

He said: “On a night where a few people have drawn or lost, we’ve managed to produce a result late on.

“I was disappointed we didn’t put the game to bed earlier because we had three great chances.

“We drifted a little bit. The longer the game went on, there were a few people who lacked a touch of belief, but they kept going to the end and I’m sure that was a deserved win.

“It is about time we scored a last-minute winner.”

Comments (3)

10:24am Wed 13 Mar 13

BigAlBiker says...

MIchael Raynes has indeed had a coupe of nightmare days in yellow and especially against Rotheram, but he has redeemed himself over the last few weeks and done ok, so lets hope he keep this good work up.
MIchael Raynes has indeed had a coupe of nightmare days in yellow and especially against Rotheram, but he has redeemed himself over the last few weeks and done ok, so lets hope he keep this good work up. BigAlBiker

7:35pm Wed 13 Mar 13

Joe1 says...

Who says that Football is not a strange game. The fact the winner was scored in the 96th minute by a player who had a dreadful game only last Tuesday. He is not known for his scoring prowess or field talent. So there you are,take (we will indeed) or leave it, that is the game of Football. You never know what can happen on the field of play.
Who says that Football is not a strange game. The fact the winner was scored in the 96th minute by a player who had a dreadful game only last Tuesday. He is not known for his scoring prowess or field talent. So there you are,take (we will indeed) or leave it, that is the game of Football. You never know what can happen on the field of play. Joe1

9:12pm Wed 13 Mar 13

Richard Wickson says...

Joe1 wrote:
Who says that Football is not a strange game. The fact the winner was scored in the 96th minute by a player who had a dreadful game only last Tuesday. He is not known for his scoring prowess or field talent. So there you are,take (we will indeed) or leave it, that is the game of Football. You never know what can happen on the field of play.
That's the beauty of this game, love it or hate it, one moment ecstasy the next despair (or vice versa). It's a funny old game, I thought we had blown it, another poor home draw, so many chances went begging then Barnet had the ball in the net, absolute despair, then it looked liked Craddock spurned the last chance and in it goes, what a game this is, only real everyday life can compare. The play offs beckon but will the opportunity be taken? My bet is 8th place losing to Accrington on the last day, might be negative but I live in hope it will be 7th place and end in glory.
[quote][p][bold]Joe1[/bold] wrote: Who says that Football is not a strange game. The fact the winner was scored in the 96th minute by a player who had a dreadful game only last Tuesday. He is not known for his scoring prowess or field talent. So there you are,take (we will indeed) or leave it, that is the game of Football. You never know what can happen on the field of play.[/p][/quote]That's the beauty of this game, love it or hate it, one moment ecstasy the next despair (or vice versa). It's a funny old game, I thought we had blown it, another poor home draw, so many chances went begging then Barnet had the ball in the net, absolute despair, then it looked liked Craddock spurned the last chance and in it goes, what a game this is, only real everyday life can compare. The play offs beckon but will the opportunity be taken? My bet is 8th place losing to Accrington on the last day, might be negative but I live in hope it will be 7th place and end in glory. Richard Wickson

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