Oxford United put in a decent performance against recently relegated Premier League side Fulham in their latest pre-season friendly.
The hosts fell behind to debutant Anthony Knockaert’s free-kick, but skipper John Mousinho levelled the match in the second half.
Fulham was on top in large spells of the first half, but the U’s improved in the second 45 and could have won it late on, but Kyran Lofthouse saw his effort strike the woodwork.
Reckon this is how #oufc will line up. pic.twitter.com/Ef3q0bDX0e
— Oxford Mail OUFC (@OxfordMailOUFC) July 23, 2019
It was an uncertain afternoon in which Simon Eastwood and Gavin Whyte were rumoured to be leaving, but at the same time, Chris Cadden and Marcus Browne were speculated to join the U’s.
And prior to kick-off, Oxford finally announced a new signing in the shape of Cadden, with the midfielder eventually joining the U’s on a season-long loan deal after signing for MLS side Columbus Crew, in one of the club’s most bizarre transfers in recent history.
Despite the speculation, Eastwood started in goal, with Josh Ruffels and new signing Cadden as the full-backs. Skipper Mousinho was partnered alongside Rob Dickie in defence.
Alex Gorrin, who scored his first Oxford goal as the U’s lost 1-2 in their last pre-season friendly at home against QPR, played centrally alongside Jamie Hanson, whilst Tariqe Fosu and Malachi Napa were on the wings.
Jamie Mackie made his first appearance of pre-season, starting up top, with Cameron Brannagan playing in behind the 33-year-old striker.
Rob Hall and Whyte both sat the game out with slight niggles, with Robinson not preparing to inflict any further damages on an already drained and depleted squad.
Napa, who had been playing upfront as a makeshift striker during pre-season, certainly looks brighter in his natural wide position, and looked an early threat, winning a couple of early corners.
Cadden, who played at right-back for Motherwell in parts of last season, looked bright on his debut, but it was Fulham’s debutant that was impressing the most, causing numerous problems on the right touchline.
And after Gorrin conceded a free-kick, the on-loan Brighton man stepped up and beat Eastwood despite the goalkeepers best efforts.
Shortly after, Scott Parker’s side should have doubled their lead. Napa gave the ball away, but some solid defending from Dickie denied Rui Fonte.
Cyrus Christie hit the woodwork in the second half, but the U’s began to get into the game. Napa fired over from a decent opportunity, but shortly after the hosts were level.
Brannagan’s set-piece was swung in dangerously and it appeared to go straight into the back of the net, despite Mousinho being awarded the goal.
Knockaert nearly restored Fulham’s lead but Eastwood denied his effort before second-half substitute James Henry saw a free-kick sail just wide. Henry was involved again after Kevin Berkoe’s cross found Tony McMahon, but his effort was blocked.
