Oxford United completed a tough weekend with a third victory as they beat Oxford City 3-0 at the Oxford Sports Park this afternoon. Two goals from Matty Taylor and a Cameron Brannagan drive made it 12 goals for and none against after three friendlies as the U’s stepped things up ahead of the new season.
It took eight minutes for United to take the lead this time when Taylor turned to drive home after Rob Atkinson had headed down an Anthony Forde corner
Forde was then involved in the second when Joel Cooper tricked his way down the left hand side and squared for Forde who moved the ball on for Brannagan to fire home to make it 2-0
Cooper had another chance well saved as City’s defence unsurprisingly creaked after just one training session in preparation, but to counter that United’s players were playing their third game in 72 hours.
Forde smacked another effort against the post from a free kick but David Oldfield’s side caused problems at the other end and Jack Stevens made four fine saves to keep his side 2-0 up at the break.
United, with James Henry, Jamie Hanson, Mark Sykes and Simon Eastwood not risked but likely to feature in further friendlies this week at Crystal Palace and at home to QPR looked sharp and were deservedly 3-0 up when Taylor poached a typical goal- his third of the weekend after another Forde set piece had been headed goalwards by the imposing Atkinson.
The hour mark saw a change of personnel and Rob Hall’s first touch was a wicked dipping effort tipped over by the keeper before Malachi Napa’s clever volley again forced the overworked keeper into action.
A good win again, and we wish City the best for the season ahead.
United
Stevens, Long (Clare 60), Moore (Lofthouse 46) , Atkinson (Mousinho 60), Ruffels (Jones 60), Forde (Dickie 60), Brannagan (Kelly 60), Gorrin (Hall 60), McGuane (Napa 60), Cooper (Osei Yaw 60), Taylor (Agyei 60)
Report by Chris Williams, pictures by Steve Daniels and Darrell Fisher