Kemar Roofe was the hero at the Kassam Stadium, scoring two well-taken goals to make sure Swansea were the first Premier League club to be knocked out of the Emirates FA Cup by a lower-league team.

Roofe’s first came as he cut in from the left-hand side before curling a wonderful effort past Kristoffer Nordfeldt, after making himself a yard of space just outside the box. His second was on the counter as he slotted past the Swansea goalkeeper.

Swansea’s Jefferson Montero opened the scoring for the visitors with one of the best goals of the weekend, but Oxford equalised just before half time from a Liam Sercombe penalty. Bafetimbi Gomis gave the visitors a lifeline with the game’s fifth goal.

Chances aplenty

Just after the five-minute mark, Matt Grimes freed Marvin Emnes inside the Oxford area, his cutback cross found Jefferson Montero but his right-footed shot was sent high into the stands.

Liam Shephard made a run into midfield but lost possession, Alex MacDonald ran into that open space and is cross found Ryan Taylor. His glancing header, however, was acrobatically tipped over the bar from Nordfeldt.

In the second half, Chris Maguire fired over after George Baldock beat Franck Tabanou. His low cross into the area finds the winger though he could only find the stand; a similar chance to Montero’s in the opening stages.

Roofe on fire

Roofe’s opening goal was simply delightful, he beat Swansea debutant Shephard before curling a long-range effort past the Swedish goalkeeper, who had no chance stopping the shot.

His second was a well-worked team goal. Oxford were able to break after a Swansea corner allowing a two-on-two situation to develop in Swansea’s half, as Roofe took the ball round Jordi Amat before slotting past Nordfeldt.

The banner said it all, as Oxford claimed a famous FA Cup upset on Saturday afternoon against Swansea. (Image credit: ESPN)
The banner said it all, as Oxford claimed a famous FA Cup upset on Saturday afternoon against Swansea. (Image credit: ESPN)

Swans battled back late on

With 25 minutes to go, out of form striker Gomis gave Swansea a chance in the game, exchanging passes with Jack Cork on the edge of the Oxford area, before calmly passing the ball into the home side’s net.

Jonjo Shelvey found Montero on the counter-attack late on but his close-range effort was straight at the keeper. Oxford almost scored a fourth, but Nordfeldt again kept Swansea in the game, making a fingertip save from Callum O’Dowda’s effort from 20 yards.

Gomis came ever so close to equalising with five minutes left. Modou Barrow showed his pace and trickery on the right-hand side before finding the Frenchman but he couldn’t score his second as the shot was deflected over.

Swansea, who haven’t kept a clean sheet away in the FA Cup since 2009 at Portsmouth ,became the first Premier League side to be dumped out of the cup by a lower-league side this year. Oxford deservedly advance to the fourth round.

VAVEL Logo
About the author
Jack Mceachen
Sports Journalist in Staffordshire University.