United began their pre-season campaign with their almost annual visit to Oxford City this evening, where a large crowd took advantage of the sunshine to get their first glimpse of some of the U’s new players. With the U's beating their hosts 3-0 with goals from new boy Louie Sibley, plus Will Goodwin and Cameron Brannagan, there was plenty to be positive about.
The starting line-up included four of the new boys, plus a trialist, while Goodwin, Aidan Elliott-Wheeler, James Golding and Jordan Thorniley all got much-needed minutes under their belts.
The first few minutes were characterised by some neat passing moves and good possession with Jacob Knightbridge rarely needed apart from fielding some back passes
Oxford took the lead in the 11th minute when Sibley was on hand to convert Marcus McGuane’s inch-perfect pass to the back post. McGuane receiving the ball from a sublime pass into his path from the trialist.
United continued to press hard and make the better opportunities, with Elliott-Wheeler testing Kai McKenzie-Lyle from distance.
The U’s didn’t have to wait long to stretch their lead, with Goodwin latching onto an excellent through ball from the triallist and picking his spot to steer the ball home with just the keeper to beat.
Goodwin almost had his second a minute later, as the triallist intercepted a loose pass and the ball fell Goodwin’s way, but McKenzie-Lyle made an excellent one-handed stop to prevent a goal.
With half-time approaching, City created their best chance so far as Brad Stretton curled a shot from the edge of the area against the top of the bar, possibly with a superb fingertip save by Knightbridge, who then produced a Cruyff turn to clear his lines.
The second half started in a similar vein to the first, with United having most of the possession. A third goal almost arrived from an unlikely source, as James Golding picked up the ball midway in the City half and rode a couple of challenges to drive into the area, where his shot brought a good save from McKenzie-Lyle.
City almost pulled a goal back on the hour, when former United midfielder Josh Ashby let fly from distance, bringing an excellent full-length save from Knightbridge, who impressed in his first game.
Almost immediately, United made wholesale changes, replacing the entire outfield. There was a first appearance for Peter Kioso and outings for Richard McIntyre, Josh Johnson and Gatlin O'Donkor, as well as much of the side that had featured at Wembley just two months earlier.
With quarter of an hour remaining, some good work in the City area led to the ball being played out to Ruben Rodrigues on the edge of the area. His shot was initially fumbled by McKenzie-Lyle, but the keeper eventually held onto it.
Almost immediately, City went up the other and and Chi Ezennolim's drive crept past the far post with Knightbridge at full stretch.
Gatlin O'Donkor was next to try his luck for the U's as he latched onto a loose ball following more chaos in the City area, but again the keeper proved equal to the task and the score remained 2-0.
The third came just a minute later as Brannagan ensured his name was on the scoresheet with a lob over the goalie after he'd half cleared it from Mark Harris.
A similar effort from Tyler Goodrham landed inches wide of the far post with a couple of minutes to go. He then forced another save from the keeper as the U's tried to put an additional gloss on the scoreline.
It's a truism that in pre-season games the result is of limited importance, with match fitness and work on shape the key. However, it's always nice to score a win in the opening match and the Oxford United supporters present certainly enjoyed the entertainment on offer.
We go again at Solihull Moors tomorrow (1pm kick off).
United: Knightbridge, Long, Vaulks, Sibley, McGuane, Goodwin, Currie, Thorniley, Golding, Elliott-Wheeler, Trialist
SUBS: Brown, Moore, Brannagan, Harris, Goodrham, Rodrigues, Kioso, O’Donkor, Johnson, McIntyre
Attendance: 2,062