Barnet 0-2 Oxford United
The FA Cup with Budweiser
First Round Proper
3pm, Saturday 3 November 2012
Underhill, Barnet FC
Winning clubs receive £18,000 from The FA's prize fund
Click here for fixtures
By Alex Shaw
Oxford United enjoyed a fine win at League Two rivals Barnet to get Chris Wilder's men up and running in The FA Cup.
James Constable put Oxford ahead on 56 minutes before Sean Rigg made the game safe ten minutes from time to seal a forgettable day for Bees player-coach Edgar Davids, who was experiencing The Cup for the first time in his impressive career.
And the Underhill clash began brightly, with both teams eager to impose themselves on the match.
Alfie Potter, the player who enjoyed a fine run with non-League Havant and Waterlooville in 2007 - memorably putting his side 2-1 up at Liverpool before they ran out of steam - looked lively and his shot inside the box just went wide.
It was a predictably tight affair with chances at a premium although when Jon-Paul Pittman was fouled by Jonathan Fortune, from the resulting free-kick, James Constable's header went wide as Oxford pressed for the opener. Potter tried his luck again, but home 'keeper Sam Cowler had no trouble in keeping it out and Rigg also threatened for the visitors in a tight first half.
Clovis Kamdjo often found space inside the box for Barnet, but the League Two strugglers could not force a way through.
Oxford started the second half on the front foot and they were soon in front though Constable. It was a soft goal from Barnet's perspective that came from a corner and Constable was on hand to slot the ball home after good work by Peter Leven.
Collins John was then subbed for Jamal Lowe as Barnet - who had Davids on the bench - tried to find a way back into the game.
Constable was proving a real threat for the away side and although his effort just after the hour was weak, his presence in attack posed Barnet problems.
But just as Barnet appeared to be getting back into the game, Oxford netted a killer second through the impressive Rigg.
