Alex Gorrin scored on his home debut but it wasn’t enough as Oxford United lost 1-2 against Queens Park Rangers.
The visitors scored twice in quick succession with Luke Amos heading home in two almost identical positions, before Gorrin’s wonder strike reduced the deficit.
Second-half substitutions from Karl Robinson were generally youth players, once again highlighting the lack of depth in the squad.
Well spotted, it's Sam Long at right back. pic.twitter.com/dlD4tUvyVU
— Oxford Mail OUFC (@OxfordMailOUFC) July 20, 2019
On a day where Oxford United revealed their new away kit, Karl Robinson fielded possibly his strongest available side.
Simon Eastwood started in goal, with Josh Ruffels and Sam Long as the full-backs. Skipper John Mousinho was partnered with Rob Dickie in defence, whilst Gorrin sat alongside Cameron Brannagan in the centre of midfield.
Tariqe Fosu started on the left with Mark Sykes on the right, whilst James Henry played behind Malachi Napa up top. Gavin Whyte and Rob Hall both sat the game out.
With a crowd of just over 3,000, with a third of that attendance in the away section, it was the U’s that had the first real opportunity, but Dickie headed wide from a Brannagan corner.
The visitors, who had lost their previous two pre-season matches, looked deadly from set-pieces, and it was a corner that led to the opener.
Ebere Eze delivered from the R’s left and Amos got in front of his marker to head home from inside the six-yard box.
The midfielder doubled his tally from virtually the same spot less than two minutes later. This time it came from open play, Ryan Manning with the assist, but the finish was a virtual carbon copy.
Slightly rattled, the U’s managed to reduce the deficit when the ball fell to Gorrin on the edge of the box, before the former Motherwell man curled home a peach.
Fosu looked lively, and he was involved in the Oxford goal.
But the visitors could have regained their two-goal advantage before the break, however, Josh Scowen struck the post.
And even after the restart, Rangers struck the woodwork again when Bright Osayi-Samuel smashed the crossbar, capping off a brilliant counter-attack after Napa sliced wide at the other end.
As usual with these sorts of occasions, the second half brought numerous changes. Oxford introduced Tony McMahon, Nico Jones and Kyran Lofthouse, followed shortly after by Kevin Berkoe replacing Napa.
The changes once again highlighted the lack of depth at Robinson’s disposal, but despite 33-year-old McMahon striking the bar with a free-kick seven minutes from time, this youthful outfit but in a strong display against Championship opposition.
Jamie Mackie was due to feature against his former club, but the 33-year-old forward was unavailable.
For those that missed it, here is Gorrin’s goal:
Wow. #QPR pic.twitter.com/PbMxJm3x6S
— LeeBo (@LeeBo6123) July 20, 2019
