Barnett brace helps Crawley cruise
Tyrone Barnett scored twice in the first 14 minutes as high-flying Crawley thrashed Oxford 4-1 to secure their eighth win in the last 10 league games.
The former Macclesfield striker gave Crawley the perfect start by firing in from 25 yards in only the fourth minute.
Barnett's low left-footed shot beat goalkeeper Ryan Clarke diving to his right and skipper Pablo Mills put an overhead kick against the crossbar before Barnett struck again by heading in an Andy Drury free-kick from eight yards.
Oxford reduced the deficit against the run of play on the half-hour when striker James Constable cashed in on a defensive mix-up by Mills and goalkeeper Scott Shearer to roll the ball into an empty net.
Winger Drury restored Crawley's two-goal advantage in first-half stoppage-time with a low angled shot which went through the legs of Clarke after David Hunt had combined with Matt Tubbs.
Defender Dean Howell (58) fired Crawley's fourth from 20 yards direct from a free-kick. Kyle McFadzean was later denied by Clarke while substitute John Akinde went close on three occasions as the hosts eased to a straightforward victory.
Crawley Town 4-1 Oxford Utd: Match Report - view commentary, squad, and statictics of the game as it happened.
Source: DSG
