Goals from Mark Harris, Tyler Goodrham and James Golding in the last minute gave Oxford their second win in two days as they beat National League side Solihull Moors 3-0 in Birmingham this afternoon.
Solihull, just a spot-kick away from Football League status at the end of last season, provided a different challenge to National League North side Oxford City, and the U's will be pleased with a second successive clean sheet as the squad continued to get valuable minutes into their legs.
The Yellows started with the same line-up that ended last night's game at Oxford City, with the exception of Jamie Cumming, who replaced Knightbridge in goal. That meant a first start in Oxford colours (well, all navy) for Peter Kioso, while the rest of the side would be familiar to anyone who watched the team in action last season.
United had their first chance in the fourth minute, when Ruben Rodrigues was brought down on the edge of the area. Cameron Brannagan was, of course, the man to take the set piece, with his low shot going under the wall but easily fielded by Laurie Walker in goal.
Ten minutes later the U's were through on goal again as Tyler Goodrham's pass into Mark Harris's path gave the striker a shooting chance, but Moors' skipper James Clarke was alive to the situation and made a great block.
Oxford took the lead in the 17th minute after an excellent through ball split the defence and gave Harris a run on goal and he steered the ball past Walker for his first goal of pre-season.
Five minutes later a poor pass out of defence from a Solihull trialist went straight to Rodrigues on the edge of the area. He played the ball to his right where Brannagan struck first time, but Walker got down well to make the save. Shortly after, O'Donkor flicked the ball past Joe Newton to get into the area and forced Walker into yet another save.
It wasn't until the 32nd minute that Solihull mustered their first shot at goal. United lost possession in midfield and the ball was played through to former U's academy player Jack Stevens, but he was unable to hit the target. The home side were to rue the miss as three minutes later Goodrham won the ball on the edge of the area and fired in a shot that went in off the post to double Oxford's lead.
Right on the stroke of half time United carved out another opportunity following another trademark passing move that ended with Goodrham teeing up Harris, but this time his shot from the edge of the area swung wide.
The second half was just five minutes old when Solihull had their best chance yet, as Mansfield Town loanee James Gale's shot hit the outside of the post with Cumming beaten. Not to be outdone, two minutes later O'Donkor brought a flying save out of Walker with a downward header from Rodrigues's pinpoint cross.
As on Friday, United made nine changes on the hour mark, with just Cumming and O'Donkor staying on. Solihull also brought on a whole new time at the same time. O'Donkor, fresh from causing mayhem on the right wing, now gave the Solihull right-back a torrid time as his pace and directness was a useful weapon in Oxford's armoury.
Vaulks had the first opportunity for the new-look U's, followed closely by Goodwin, as Oxford looked to continue the work of the first hour. With young Wales U17 international Louis Griffiths coming on with 15 to go, O'Donkor received a well-deserved ovation from the United fans in attendance as he made his way to the dugout.
United continued to dominate possession and Cumming remained largely a spectator as the U's defence kept Solihull at bay. In the last minute Golding was at the back post to tap home a Louie Sibley corner to make it another 3-0 win.
The result and performance ensured that this was another useful exercise, with partnerships beginning to form among the players and the side's strength in depth showing its worth.
With a behind-closed-doors game against Exeter City in midweek, followed by another workout against newly promoted to League One Mansfield Town next Saturday, the pre-season is gradually ramping up in intensity. So far, it all looks mightily promising.
United (first 60): Cumming, Kioso, Moore, Brown, Bennett, McEachran, Brannagan, Rodrigues, O'Donkor, Goodrham, Harris
United (last 30): Cumming, Golding, Long, Thorniley, Currie, Vaulks, Elliott-Wheeler, Sibley, McGuane, O'Donkor (Griffiths 75), Goodwin
