Port Vale will be there or there abouts in May make no mistake and they did a decent job to stop the home side from playing the passing game Chris Wilder loves to see, but Peter Leven showed that they can adapt and play the long ball game if required.
I'm referring of course to Leven's superb 45 yard strike that left opposing keeper Stuart Tomilinson lost for words - other than those of apology he was heard offering up to team mates as they went to warm down after the game.
Ryan Clarke pulled off a great save from Vale skipper Marc Richards's penalty to make sure of the win and told me afterwards that Tomlinson had "been a bit lippy" in the tunnel before the game. I guess sometimes it's better to let your football do the talking.
Clarke wouldn't reveal what was said or to who, but as the Oxford players jumped on Leven to celebrate his superb goal, it was noticeable that Jake Wright had his attention turned towards the Oxford Mail end where Tomlinson was standing shamed-faced. At first I thought captain Wright was just celebrating with the Us faithful, but - given that he would have been one of the closest to the Port Vale keeper in the tunnel - I now wonder whether he was politely enquiring as to the stopper's thoughts at that moment!
Leven picked up the man of the match award it's difficult to argue with the decision given the quality of his goal and his all round contribution, but I have to say I was impressed with Alfie Potter's work rate on Saturday afternoon. The lad played as if he was after a new contract rather than someone who had just signed a new deal.
Equally, that is the best I've seen James Constable play in the games I've seen this season.
But on the whole, you couldn't point to a single Oxford player and question his commitment and that bodes well if they can steer clear of injuries and suspensions.
One player they definitely need to wrap in cotton wool is Paul McLaren, 34, who quietly goes about his job keeping things ticking over and feeding the younger legs belonging to Simon Heslop, Liam Davis, Potter and Leven.
As a neutral, this was a great game to be at and, to be fair, Port Vale played their part. Richards is one of the most dangerous strikers in the division and will end up at the top end of the scoring charts.
A final word about Michael Duberry. The former Chelsea man has (according to those who have seen a lot more of Oxford than me this season) been the team's most consistent performer. On Saturday he scored his first goal for the club and to say he was happy about it is an understatement. He ran the length of the pitch to celebrate in front of the Oxford Mail end, pausing only to acknowledge friends and family in the main stand.
I don't care what team you support, when you see someone like Duberry playing in your colours it renews your faith in the game. He's been there, got the t-shirt and, at 36 years old, has nothing to prove - but he's giving his all for the cause.
He told me after the game that he'd been told that he had become the oldest player to ever score for Oxford. I don't know whether that's true, but if so, I wouldn't bet against him breaking his own record before the season's out.
When he told me that only he and Peter Leven were technically gifted enough to score from 45 yards he had a cheeky grin on his face, but you know what, I bet he tries it at some point.
My piece from this morning's paper
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