• Wed. Feb 19th, 2025

Midfielder discusses rocket strike and making use of long throw-in

Byoxfordnewspaper

Jan 16, 2025

WILL Vaulks was pleased to grab his first Oxford United goal in style, as his first-time 25-yard strike opened the scoring at Plymouth Argyle.

The move began just before half-time when Jordan Thorniley played a ball down the left channel for Greg Leigh, who nodded on for Mark Harris.

The striker held the ball up and then teed up Vaulks, who sent a rocket flying past Daniel Grimshaw between the Pilgrims posts for what was the midfielder’s 45th career goal in club football.

Argyle would ultimately claim a point when Rami Al Hajj diverted in a header from a Tymoteusz Puchacz cross less than 20 minutes into the second half.

READ ALSO: Praise for goalscorer after ‘great strike’ helps earn U’s draw

Vaulks said: “It was a nice one and been a long time coming. When Sparky cut inside, I’ve played with Sparky and he remembers me scoring goals at Cardiff, so I had a feeling he was going to set me, whereas a few of the other boys probably wouldn’t have because they haven’t seen me score.

“I caught it sweet. We’re pleased to get a point away from home, but in the summary of the game, I think we’re a bit disappointed not to take three points.”

No U’s player had more touches (73) or played more passes (40) than Vaulks at Home Park, while his total of four tackles was also more than any other United player.

And one tactic the U’s made noticeably heavy use of was Vaulks’ long throw-in, which caused a number of problems in the Pilgrims penalty box.

Vaulks said: “It’s something that earlier on in my career, I was using all the time with the teams I played with and the way we played.

“It’s something where if you had a free kick there, you’d probably put it in the box if you can and if you’ve got players that are willing to attack it.

“It just sometimes builds a bit of momentum as well. You’ve got to use it at the right times, and it felt like the right time. I think we were unfortunate not to score off one of them.

“Early on in the game, we knew we wanted to put them under pressure, so we tried one and we nearly scored off it.

“It puts a bit of stress on the shoulder. When I’m playing it doesn’t hurt, but if I try it in training, it’s agony, but if it works for the team, then I’ll bring it out every now and then.”