Oxford United kicked off their pre-season with an encouraging 3-1 win over a young Southampton B side this afternoon at the Training Ground.
First half goals from Billy Bodin and Gatlin O’Donkor and a late strike from a trialist meant United came out on top in an excellent game in which Cameron Bragg netted for the young Saints.
United took the opportunity to look at almost the entire squad with two distinct sides playing the two halves. The only players not involved were Mark Harris, who is being eased in after joining pre-season a couple of weeks later than the rest of the squad, Simon Eastwood, who is close to fitness after a calf strain and Stephan Negru who wasn't risked with a tight groin but is expected to be involved in the matches this week.
The first 45 minutes saw new boys James Beadle, Jordan Thorniley and Josh McEachran all start, while defender Teddy Mfuni and midfielder James Henry made their returns after missing the end of last season through injury.
With both sides playing some slick football on the excellent pitch, the game was very easy on the eye and Cameron Brannagan had already rattled the post before Bodin gave United the lead on 22, finishing off a move that started with Mfuni at the back, Thorniley moving the ball forward and Josh Murphy carrying the ball on before Marcus Browne’s clipped cross was volleyed home at the back post by Bodin.
Five minutes later it was 2-0 when Murphy again burst forward and beat his man. His clever cross was half cleared but O’Donkor showed strength to loop his header back over the keeper to double the lead at half time.
Bragg’s strike early in the second half meant a very competitive second period but United continued to create the better chances: Yanic Wildschut going close and Elliott Moore hitting the post with a volley as they tried to regain the two-goal advantage.
New boys Fin Stevens and Ruben Rodrigues both caught the eye, but in the end the U's left it late before Wildschut powered in a shot after 88 minutes which was pushed away but fell for the Trialist who scored to leave it 3-1 as a final score.
Plenty of positives: goals, a growing understanding and yes, the new kit looks great. United now move on to their first public friendly, away at Eastleigh on Tuesday evening
UNITED
First half
Beadle, Long, Mfuni, Thorniley, Henry, Murphy, McEachran, Brannagan, Bodin, Browne, O’Donkor
Second Half
McGinty, Stevens, Moore, Golding, Brown, Smyth, McGuane, Goodrham, Rodrigues, Trialist, Wildschut
Report by Chris Williams, pictures Steve Daniels, Steve Edmunds and Darrell Fisher
United Under 18s' scheduled friendly against the Fowler Academy was postponed today