Precipitation not perspiration was the order of the day here, as the rain hammered down on the banks of a bloated River Thames and Sunderland made it to the FA Cup fifth round without having to break a sweat.
Habib Diarra’s first-half penalty secured victory for Régis Le Bris’s visitors but the margin flattered Oxford who put up the meekest of fights.
With two teams of reserves contesting a tie in a competition that is neither’s priority, this was a drab match in sodden surrounds. There was little magic of the Cup to be found, but to their credit 9,879 spectators made a decent atmosphere all the same.
The Oxford manager Matt Bloomfield made nine changes from the team beaten by Championship relegation rivals Norwich in midweek, including a home debut for Jamie Donley lining up alongside fellow Tottenham loanee Will Lankshear.
Despite their relative youth, both players shared the same physical quality as their teammates: a broad-shouldered profile that allowed Oxford to effectively contest the duels and give them a foothold in the match. This was made easier still by the willingness of Sunderland to play at a soporific tempo after Le Bris himself made six changes from the defeat at home against Liverpool.
