Oxford United made it three wins in successive evenings as they edged past Brackley Town at St James Park.
First half goals from Fabio Lopes and James Henry put Karl Robinson’s side ahead, but a Nico Jones own goal gifted the Saints a way back into the game.
Your #oufc XI tonight: pic.twitter.com/VjqYDSXttg
— Oxford Mail OUFC (@OxfordMailOUFC) July 11, 2019
Rob Hall was supposed to start on the right hand side of midfield, but the winger didn’t enter the pitch, with Kyran Lofthouse replacing him.
Jack Stevens replaced Simon Eastwood in goal, whilst there was a start for Tony McMahon at right back just days after it looked certain he’d leave the club. Skipper John Mousinho partnered Jones at the back with Josh Ruffels on the left.
Mark Sykes was alongside Cameron Brannagan centrally, with Lopes and Lofthouse wide and Henry in the middle, behind Malachi Napa.
Despite the confusion with Hall, the U’s started brightly. Henry fired wide following good work from Napa, before Sykes struck one over.
But Lopes was on hand mid-way through the first half to drive a low effort into the far corner following the hosts failure to clear their lines.
Shortly after, the visitors were two goals up after Henry tapped home from close range following clever work from Brannagan to draw out goalkeeper, Danny Lewis.
But the National League North side continued to force attacking play at the U’s and, despite goalkeeper Stevens looking for a foul from a corner, Jones ended up turning the ball into his own net.
Brackley came close to an equaliser, but Gareth Dean saw his header strike the bar, before Stevens denied Kelvin Langmead with a terrific save.
The second half was certainly played at a lesser pace, and the flurry of substitutes, which included trialist defender, Jon Guthrie, didn’t help.
Sykes and Hanson both had efforts off target for Oxford, before a trialist for the host’s headed wide.
The U’s deserved the win, and as I’ve mentioned before, pre-season isn’t about the result. That said, they looked leggy in the second half, but three games in as many days will do that.
