Oxford United found Championship side Bristol City just too strong tonight as the Robins went through in the Carabao Cup with a 5-1 win at Ashton Gate.
Two goals from Jason Knight and strikes from Nahki Wells, Harry Cornick and Kal Naismith steered Nigel Pearson's side through despite a Billy Bodin goal in the first half for the U's.
United will have few arguments with the scoreline but will perhaps rue not taking the chances they created in the very opening exchanges. Stanley Mills, on his full debut, got the first shot of the night away after just three minutes, Tyler Goodhram had two shots saved by home keeper Max O’Leary and Bodin nodded a Fin Stevens cross wide of the mark. But on 15 minutes they were behind when Cornick finished off a clever move down the left between Anis Mehmeti and Haydon Roberts to make it 1-0.
United hung in and on half an hour briefly raised hopes of another famous upset in the competition they have done so well in over the years. Mills and Stevens combined down the right with Stevens floating a superb cross to the back post, inviting a header. Bodin obliged and cleverly looped his effort back across and over O’Leary for an expertly taken equaliser.
Mills clearly has an eye for goal and on 33 he ran on to a perfect Bodin pass but again couldn’t beat O’Leary. In the end the missed chances proved costly as City took control. Their second came down the left and when a low cross wasn’t cleared Knight had far too much time to steer his shot into the bottom right corner with James Beadle again given no chance.
Beadle kept his side in it with a big save from Knight just before the break, getting down smartly to push the ball away as Knight ran worryingly unchallenged down the centre of the pitch, but within six minutes of the restart the game was up and United were heading out.
First, another low cross from the left picked out Knight who thrashed the ball past Beadle for 3-1 and then on 51 Wells again ran clear, dummied the keeper, and once the Beadle had landed took a small step to his right and rolled the ball into the empty net to make it 4-1.
Naismith came off the bench to score with his first touch to make it 5-1, and although sub Mark Harris had two chances, both aimed too close to O'Leary, there was simply too much to do. Indeed, the biggest worry may be Cameron Brannagan picking up a late injury that left United to navigate the seven additional minutes with just ten men.
A tough assignment and good luck to City who look a good side. Our thanks to the fans who once again backed the side in large numbers. United will lick their wounds, learn from the experience, and now look to get their season properly up and running when they welcome Carlisle United to the Kassam Stadium on Saturday.
Att: 9,661
Away: 1,201
Report by Chris Williams, pictures Steve Daniels and Steve Edmunds