Oxford United’s first game of the League One season ended in defeat as Karl Robinson’s side lost 2-0 at Lincoln City. Defender Rob Atkinson was dismissed for the visitors late on who struggled to create many chances despite being in control for the majority of the game.
The U’s had over 60 per cent possession but Lincoln were clinical in front of goal, scoring twice from just three shots on target.
Your #oufc XI this afternoon: pic.twitter.com/sWXZas1a7I
— Oxford Mail OUFC (@OxfordMailOUFC) September 12, 2020
Karl Robinson made just one change from the side that beat AFC Wimbledon last weekend, with Liam Kelly replacing Alex Rodriguez Gorrin who is sidelined for a month through injury.
Eastwood began in goal, behind a back four of Sam Long, Elliott Moore, Atkinson and Josh Ruffels.
Kelly sat in front of the back four, with Marcus McGuane alongside Cameron Brannagan in the middle. Mark Sykes started on the left, with James Henry on the right and Matty Taylor up front.
New signing Sam Winnall travelled with the squad but didn’t make the bench for the game.
The game started slowly, but the U’s looked comfortable in possession without creating any early chances. The first chance of the game came after seven minutes and the hosts took the lead through Anthony Scully. Atkinson lost the ball cheaply and Scully headed the cross past Eastwood to give the Imps an early lead.
The U’s continued to move the ball around and started to look for a way back into the game. But, as like in the opening exchanges, they struggled to find an end product.
Corners, crosses and free kicks were all dealt with by the Imps’ defence, before Scully fired an effort over the bar at the other end.
Lincoln midfielder James Jones then saw an effort sail just past Eastwood’s post as the hosts looked to add a second.
Defensively, Lincoln dealt with everything that Oxford threw at them as half time approached, but the U’s were unable to test goalkeeper Alex Palmer.
The U’s started the second half strongly. McGuane drove forward through midfield before the on-loan Nottingham Forest man was fouled, before Taylor went down in the box, but his penalty appeal was turned away.
Eight minutes into the second half, Ruffels went down under a challenge but failed to continue. Sean Clare replaced the Oxford-born full-back who picked up a shoulder injury.
Moments later, Brannagan struck from 20-yards in which was the visitors’ first effort on goal, but it was comfortable for Palmer.
With just over 20 minutes remaining, Joel Cooper came on to make his debut. A Kelly free-kick found Taylor but his header lacked power.
Shortly after, Moore gave away an unnecessary free-kick and Adam Jackson headed home a second goal for the hosts.
Agyei replaced Kelly as the U’s searched for a goal. Brannagan was denied by Palmer again, before his second effort was blocked. The Imps goalkeeper then denied Taylor and Sykes in quick succession but time was running out for Oxford.
Deep in stoppage time, Atkinson was dismissed for the visitors to cap off what was a miserable afternoon for Karl Robinson’s side.
