Oxford goalkeeper Simon Eastwood stars in goalless draw at Rochdale

Posted Sunday, December 17, 2017 by PA

Play-off chasing Oxford United were held to a goalless draw by struggling Rochdale at the Crown Oil Arena.

Oxford opened up the home defence inside the opening 15 minutes when Wes Thomas and James Henry exchanged passes on the edge of the area, but Donervon Daniels' brilliant block tackle prevented Henry from firing the U's ahead.

Goalkeeper Simon Eastwood twice denied Callum Camps before the break and his heroics continued after the interval when he pulled off a terrific stop to deny Joe Bunney, who had drifted to the back post to meet Ian Henderson's floated delivery. Eastwood parried the left-back's volleyed effort, Henderson collecting the loose ball on the edge of the box but seeing his dipping effort just clear the crossbar.

The fine display of goalkeeping was not confined to the Oxford penalty area - at the other end Josh Lillis earned his corn by keeping out Thomas' well-struck shot which was heading for the bottom corner of his net.

And when Camps' header beat Eastwood, defender Mike Williamson was on hand to protect the Oxford goal.