Josh Magennis’ early header was the only thing separating City and Oxford United as the Grecians came out as victors against their Championship opponents behind closed doors.
A confident first half followed by an assured defensive display in the second was enough to see City beat the first EFL opponents they came up against this summer.
Now over a month into the pre-season schedule, Gary Caldwell named a full eleven of first team players to start against the U’s, with Ryan Woods coming in for his first start of the summer while Reece Cole dropped out of the squad as a precaution.
Despite two early corners for the hosts, Oxford’s keeper was the first to be called intro action nine minutes in. Yanic Wildschut was brought down, winning a freekick on the left wing, level with the six-yard box. Ryan Woods worked a smart set-piece with Pedro Borges into the area, which the U’s keeper had to punch away over a flurry of red and white shirts attacking the ball.
Ten minutes later, City opened the scoring from that left side. Ben Purrington controlled the ball on the edge of the penalty area before crossing towards Josh Magennis. The striker stooped low at the back post to head the ball past the U’s stopper into the back of the net.
Oxford reacted by forcing City stopper Joe Whitworth into his first significant save after an Yellows player found too much space on the edge of the D, having time to pick his spot. However, the Palace loanee was equal to the effort, diving to his right to catch the ball.
Then, from a City corner, Oxford’s Louie Sibley broke free following a clearance, skipping past sliding challenges from Borges and Woods. As he broke into the right-hand side of the penalty area, the midfielder cut inside but could only release a tame shot into Whitworth’s arms.
City’s confidence grew throughout the first half, with some smart passages of play maintaining possession and causing Oxford to concede several corners. However, amid increasingly windy conditions, Ed Francis and Woods couldn’t find their targets in the box. Meanwhile, at the other end of the pitch, Whitworth comfortably handled everything thrown at him when the U’s countered.
Sonny Cox had the first chance after the break when half-time switch Jack Aitchison found him at the back post, but his low first-time effort trickled just wide of the U’s keeper’s far post.
Fellow sub Millenic Alli had his first chance 10 minutes later, when the ball was played to his feet inside the penalty area. The City forward left one defender behind with a quick cutback before the ball was almost stolen from him. But, good closing down from Ilmari Niskanen won it back for Alli, though his shot landed on the road behind Oxford’s training ground.
Oxford began to dominate possession as City became disjointed with multiple substitutions. United’s number 35 capitalised on a moment of confusion, weaving past two Grecians to reach the edge of the box, but his shot was fortunately well over.
Whitworth had to be alert though moments later, doing well to tip a dangerous U’s shot over the bar.
As more City changes were made, a younger eleven took the field for the final fifteen minutes, with first-team coach David Perkins coming on again in pre-season to help organise the midfield.
Marshalled by Pierce Sweeney, City’s backline remained resolute in the closing ten minutes despite increasing pressure.
The Grecians continued to pose a threat on the counter attack, with Alli won a free kick 35 yards from goal. The set piece was played short out to Borges on the left wing, who found Jake Richards inside the box. Richards maneuvered past a defender and set up Jack Aitchison, but the Scotsman struggled to get the ball out from under his feet.
That was the last chance of the 90 as the young Grecians’ defended City’s lead well, holding on to the win against their Championship opponents.
City: Whitworth, Niskanen (Dean, 75’), McMillan (Perkins, 75’), Fitzwater (James, 75’), Purrington (Cummins, 75’), Wildschut (Borges, 69’), Woods (Sweeney, 46’), Francis (Beardmore, 69’), Borges (Aitchison, 46’), Cox (Richards, 69’), Magennis (Alli, 46’)
Substitutes: Sweeney, Richards, Alli, James, Cummins, Dean, Crees, Ohanaka, Borges, Beardmore
Oxford United lineup not supplied
Attendance: N/A