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Pundits viewed the game as a forgone conclusion, with the Londoners (managed by a certain Jim Smith) tipped to walk all over the boys from down the M40. The day was viewed as a trip out for Division 1 small fish United, but it would seem people had forgotten the heroics of the previous round…

United had battled through a tough two-legged tie against Aston Villa. Two goals from John Aldridge in the first leg steered the U’s to a 2-2 draw, and goals from Les Phillips and Jeremy Charles sealed a dramatic 2-1 win a week later.

At the time, United were viewed somewhat as lightweights having been recently promoted. Despite this however, United were still impressing. A 4-1 victory away at Chelsea and a 5-0 win at home to Leicester the pick of the first half of the season. Despite a fairly promising start to the season for The U’s, Ranger’s were hot favourites with an apparently stronger squad. The match itself turned widespread pre-conceptions on their head.

After a tight start with neither side dominating, United took the lead through the inspirational Trevor Hebberd. The television commentators that day had cited the midfielder’s ability before his goal, and after he jinked his way through the QPR defence and slotted the ball into the corner it would seem they were happily proved right.

After half time United took control. The midfield of Hebberd, Les Phillips, Kevin Brock and Ray Houghton dominated proceedings, and it was no surprise when Irishman Houghton doubled the lead in the 53rd minute. A neat interchange of passes led to a simple finish for the man who’d eventually stun Italy in USA ’94. To finish things off, an Aldridge shot was only parried to Charles who slotted in the rebound in the 96th minute.

Pandemonium ensued around Wembley as a sea of yellow heralded the triumph of their team. In a gesture that still seems remarkable, the late Maurice Evans asked long-serving trainer Ken Fish to climb the 39 steps to the royal box to collect the trophy with inspirational captain Malcolm Shotton.

The team were treated to quite a reception when they returned, with an open-top bus tour around the centre of the city and continued celebrations. Fans were delighted that United, despite not really competing with the best in the division were proving themselves. One negative was the sad fact that the Yellows could not compete in the UEFA Cup as the Heysel Stadium disaster had meant a ban for all British clubs in European competition.

Arguably due to the momentum bought about by the Milk Cup victory, United survived in the top flight for another two seasons, but were finally relegated in 1988 as the Robert Maxwell era faded away along with the successes on the pitch.

In recent times there have been several events to commemorate Oxford United’s finest hour, getting the stars of that day back together again. In May 2001, the last ever match at The Manor was played between about two thirds of the two teams that played in ’86. The match proved a huge success with players and supporters and was a fitting end to the Headington era.

More recently, in April 2006, a dinner was arranged where as many of the players of that day as possible would be reunited for a 20th anniversary. 500 fans attended and players shared memories and stories of the final itself and the time in the top flight. A ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio Oxford recording of the match highlights proved a great success and the cup itself was even present.

Though over twenty years ago, that day in Northwest London lives long in the memory and the passion of fans for the occasion lives on. Even if United seem some way from those glories now, there can still be hope that there’ll be another day out to Wembley in the future…