Oxford United secured their first win of the new season thanks to Cameron Brannagan’s first half volley.
The midfielders strike sunk Peterborough United who themselves have lost their opening two matches for the first time since 2012.
Your #oufc XI this afternoon pic.twitter.com/UgwdVdXMqU
— Oxford Mail OUFC (@OxfordMailOUFC) August 10, 2019
The U’s started with the same team that drew at Sunderland.
Simon Eastwood began in goal, with Josh Ruffels and Chris Cadden as the full-backs. Rob Dickie was partnered with John Mousinho, who made his 500th career appearance, at the back, whilst Elliott Moore awaited his first start for the club since his arrival last week.
Alex Gorrin and Brannagan started in the centre of midfield, with new signings Tariqe Fosu on the left and Ben Woodburn playing as a number ten. James Henry started on the right while Jamie Mackie played as the lone striker.
It was tricky conditions at the Kassam Stadium as both sides had to battle wind and rain. But, like at Sunderland last week, Karl Robinson’s side started brightly.
Fosu, who netted in the 1-1 draw at the Stadium of Light, came close inside four minutes, but the wingers’ effort struck the post. Shortly after, Mackie headed over following some good work and delivery by Ruffels.
The Posh, who have been tipped for promotion this season, struggled to get into the game, and just twelve minutes in the visitors were behind. Henry played in a delicate cross from the right, but the clearance fell to Brannagan who struck home the opener with a sweet left-footed volley.
The midfielder was enthusiastic and was pivotal in possession, but was guilty of a couple of heavy-handed challenges which would have resulted in more critical outcomes in other matches. He was yellow-carded for a foul on Marcus Maddison, who himself saw his resulting free-kick fail to test Eastwood.
Brannagan was linking play expertly. Fosu and Woodburn were being brought into the play by the former Liverpool man, with the latter firing an effort wide.
The U’s played some scintillating football, but never really tested Christy Pym’s goal. At the other end, Posh won three corners as half time approached, but nothing came of them.
Darren Ferguson made two changes at the break, but it was Maddison that forced Eastwood into his first meaningful save. The U’s got back into the game and should have added a second but Henry’s delicate chip hit the bar before Woodburn struck wide from the rebound.
Woodburn tested Pym with twelve minutes remaining as the game came to a close. Robinson’s side never looked threatened and managed to see out the win.
It was a terrific performance from Oxford. After last weekends draw at Sunderland, the U’s were looking to build on that result and they certainly did that. So far, they’ve faced two promotion hopefuls, and have gone toe to toe with them both.
The U’s also announced the signing of striker Dan Agyei prior to kick-off, with the club needed to pay compensation to Burnley for the 22-year-old.
