Goalscorer Smith on his strike against the U’s and a battling point
The first Royals goalscorer in this derby for almost two decades… Sam Smith was pleased that the team were able to put in a battling performance and earn a point against Oxford United.
The U’s, who arrived in RG2 sitting in the play-off places, had chances to win it in the second half; we had fleeting opportunities too. In the end, another point on the board.
“Every goal is a special moment, especially against Oxford!” Smith said. “I think it was a really tough game today – they are a great team, and we just had to see it out at the end.
“A derby is always big, especially having it not been for so long. We knew how much this game meant to the fans; we wanted to leave it all out there for everyone involved today.
“We have had a lot of games in quick succession, so there’s a few tired legs. They are a good team and they move the ball quickly and at high tempo game, so you could see towards the end we had a few tired legs, and we were trying to hold on.
“We had a few yellow cards and a lot of subs. I don’t think we have had enough draws this season – so to get one against a good team like that… you can’t turn your nose up at a point.
“If we can build on this tonight, and build on the support in the stadium tonight – the atmosphere was incredible – then hopefully we can go to Lincoln and try and get a positive result there.
“That’s all we can do, look at each game at a time. Lincoln is another good team and we will try and continue to improve on this away form.”
It was a proper striker’s finish from Smith that earned the draw.
Ciaron Brown had nodded Oxford ahead… but Lewis Wing swung an early ball forward for Smith to race onto, and he controlled and finished unerringly.
He continued: “Wingy has got a great delivery! They had a high line so I knew as soon as it rolled to him, I needed to just try and get in behind them.
“I just thought, ‘get it towards the goal’ – and when the keeper comes out like that… I think it went under him. I’ll take it!”