Chesterfield 0-4 Oxford Utd: Match Report

Conor McAleny hat-trick propels Oxford to big win over ChesterfieldConor McAleny scored a hat-trick as Oxford's pursuit of a play-off place gathered momentum with a 4-0 mauling of relegation strugglers Chesterfield.Rob Hall put Oxford in front before McAleny made it two in the 36th minute and then punished some woeful Chesterfield defending in a one-sided second half at the Proact Stadium.Oxford began confidently and McAleny wasted two chances inside a minute from 12 yards before the visitors went ahead in the 17th minute.Toni Martinez got behind Chesterfield on the left and pulled the back to Hall who held off a defender before slotting the ball in from close range.Chesterfield responded with Sylvan Ebanks-Blake releasing Kristian Dennis whose 20-yard shot was beaten away by Simon Eastwood, but Oxford scored again nine minutes before the interval.Hall pounced on a loose clearance and set up McAleny who sent a swerving shot from the edge of the box past Thorsten Stuckmann.Stuckmann kept Chesterfield in the game by keeping out a Phil Edwards header in the 47th minute but he was beaten again just after the hour mark as Oxford moved further ahead.McAleny was allowed to run inside unchecked before firing a 25-yard shot inside Stuckmann's right post as it became 3-0.Chesterfield fell apart in the 69th minute when Ian Evatt gave the ball away and McAleny scored his third from just inside the area as Oxford cruised to victory.

Source: PA