MATTY Taylor expressed his relief after scoring his first league goals of the season as Oxford United put four past Port Vale.

Prior to the clash at the Kassam Stadium, Taylor’s only two goals this campaign had come in the Papa John’s Trophy.

Those strikes were also on home soil, against Leyton Orient and Chelsea Under-21s.

However, Taylor opened his account in Sky Bet League One with a goal in each half as United romped to a 4-0 win against Vale, with Billy Bodin also bagging a double.

Taylor’s first goal saw him poach inside the six-yard box, as opposition defenders called for offside, while the second goal was a smart header.

On whether he thought he may have been offside for his first goal, which put the U’s 2-0 up, Taylor said: “It did have a hint, I didn’t celebrate fully.

“It was relief, it’s been a bit of a stop-start to the season with being injured and the suspension, and not scoring as freely.

“I’m delighted to get a couple and for Billy to get a couple as well.”

Taylor had the chance to seal a hat-trick with 15 minutes to go, but was denied when one-on-one with Vale goalkeeper Aidan Stone.

“I had a couple of finishes in mind, but I picked the wrong one I think,” said Taylor.

“I was going to dink it over him, but it’s gone now and I’m just glad to get the win and help the team out with my goals.”

The victory took United up to 12th in League One, following a ponderous start to the campaign.

Taylor said: “It was a really good win, I thought everyone all over the pitch was pretty good.

“I thought we defended magnificently and took our chances when they came along.

“It was a good win all round and it’s something to keep building on, we’ve had a few good results lately but we’ve got to stay on it.

“We’ve been on a steady run recently and we just want to keep building it.

Watch the highlights as Oxford United put four past Port Vale 

“It’s not been an ideal season, we’re improving and the results have definitely showed that.

“Even before the results, we were playing well in spells but not for the whole game, and we were getting punished, but that’s just part of football.

“For myself, I’d like to have been scoring more but that’s the life of a striker sometimes, you’ve just to keep going.

“I haven’t really been missing many, which was a frustration, but you’ve got to keep getting in the box and hopefully the lads will find you.”

This is Oxfordshire: Matty Taylor celebrates his first goal against Port Vale. Picture: David FlemingMatty Taylor celebrates his first goal against Port Vale. Picture: David Fleming

While Taylor served a three-match suspension after his sending off in the home defeat against Peterborough United, 18-year-old Gatlin O’Donkor has stepped in, and scored his first goal in professional football during the draw at home to Fleetwood Town.

Taylor said: “Gatlin’s a very good player, he’s got strength, pace, power and a lovely left foot.

“More importantly, he’s a lovely lad.

“I was buzzing for him the other week when he scored, and if he keeps doing what he’s doing, then he’ll get a lot more chances on the pitch and show everyone what he can do.

“I chat to him quite regularly, he’s a great lad.

“He’s eager to learn and he’s got bags of potential.

“He’s more than ready to play at this level, and hopefully we’ll see more of him.”