Oxford's Incredible long-range Goal Record is something Beauchamp himself would be proud of

United outplayed Charlton, and were deserving of the incredible result they came away with.

Yet it is also true that they registered an Expected Goals (xG) of just 1.2, but scored four times.

Matty Taylor’s laser like accuracy in the box played a part, but it is what Oxford are doing from outside the area which is so impressive at the moment.

Sam Baldock’s first goal for the club was a deliciously curled finish into the far corner from the edge of the 18-yard-box, whilst Cameron Brannagan added another special goal to his collection.

Billy Bodin grabbed two from range against Bolton the week before, and it was Brannagan again who had drawn United level with a peach of a strike from some 25-yards out against Portsmouth, before Nathan Holland completed the turnaround with a stunning long-range effort of his own.

United have become long-range experts in recent weeks, but we shouldn’t be surprised, because this tendency to shoot, and usually score, from distance has been a trend for Oxford ever since Robinson arrived.

It is a skill which Joey Beauchamp had mastered during his career and, though his sporting achievements seem subsidiary in light of events on Saturday, United's long-range record is something even he would be proud of. 

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With the likes of Henry, Brannagan, Bodin and Holland in their line-up, it is no surprise that Oxford are not afraid to try their luck when they get a sight of goal.

Only Accrington (200) have had more shots from outside of the box than Oxford (172) so far this season, and it is translating into goals at the moment.

Only Wycombe and Rotherham have netted more from outside the 18-yard-box than Oxford this season in all of England’s top four divisions. 

Long Distance goalscoring record in England's top four divisions this season

Three of the top four teams in that chart are League One based, indicating that this is the league to be in for special goals, and the Yellows have been leading the way in recent weeks.

It is not that Oxford are simply taking pot shots from distance, though.

37% of their shots this season have come from outside the 18-yard-box, which puts them in the bottom half of League One teams for that metric.

That the majority of their shots have come from within the area illustrates the fact Oxford are not reliant on out of nothing strikes, but are also more than capable of working the ball into the box to score.

Still, Robinson’s side have a taste for the spectacular, but it is certainly not a recent phenomenon.

Ever since the Karl took charge of the Yellows, they have been near the top for long-range efforts.

Last season, only Bournemouth (18) scored more goals from outside the area than Oxford (15) of all teams in England’s top four divisions, with Newport also tied in second place. 

Their total of 13 goals from outside the box in 2019-20 put them slightly lower at joint sixth in England’s top four divisions, but they still topped the class for League One sides. 

It means United have scored the most goals of all League One clubs from outside the area in the last two seasons, and are within touching distance of the top this time round as well.

Unfortunately, free-to-access records don’t go back any further than the 2018-19 season for the EFL, but United’s record over the last three seasons has been incredibly impressive.

Oxford are the only side to appear on all three of those lists, and it means that, over the past three seasons, Oxford have scored more goals from outside of the box than anybody else in England’s top four divisions. 

 

Even Manchester City’s star-studded line-up cannot get near Oxford’s record of 39 goals over the past two-and-a-half years.

As a fan, it has often felt like United were one of those teams whose shots would bounce the wrong way off the post, or the keeper would always seem to have a blinder to stop them, but according to the statistics, this is not the case.

For a side so good at creating chances, Oxford score a huge amount of goals from distance, with supporters treated to some special strikes of late.  

Maybe this record is testament to the type of side Robinson has built, based on supreme technical quality.

The one surprise this year is that Herbie Kane hasn’t stuck one in the top corner yet, but the fact Oxford were able to attract the former Liverpool midfielder speaks volumes to their increasing ability to sign players of a technical quality far higher than League One, and this may be at the heart of their long-range shooting success.

Or maybe it is just the environment the effervescent Robinson has created at Oxford. One of bravery and arrogance, where players are willing to take on these sorts of efforts. One that mirrors the great Joy Beauchamp's style.

It is true that united certainly don’t need a second invitation to take on the spectacular, having registered the second most shots from outside of the box in each of the last three League One seasons. 

Perhaps their long-distance shooting success boils down to the belief Robinson has instilled in his team.

Without this, would Sam Winnall, having struggled to make much of an impact since his move, taken on the audacious half volley on the final day of last season against Burton? Would Olimide Shodipo have taken on the halfway line chip in the final minute against Rochdale?

Whatever the reason, Oxford have become England’s long-range specialists.

On the day of Joey Beauchamp’s tragic death, it seems fitting that United scored two more incredible distance strikes which the winger made a trademark during his scintillating career.

Whilst we may never see a player quite like Beauchamp again, Robinson has this iteration of United playing with the same confidence and joy, and long may that continue.