Oxford United’s latest pre-season match ended all square as Karl Robinson’s side drew at Woking.
Elliott Frear, on trial again following his release from Motherwell, netted for the U’s, but the hosts were level fifteen minutes into the second half.
One concern for the U’s was the fact that James Henry hobbled off in the latter stages of the game.
Your #oufc XI this afternoon: pic.twitter.com/DzPA2JKENp
— Oxford Mail OUFC (@OxfordMailOUFC) July 13, 2019
Like the previous three pre-season matches, the starting eleven featured a few first-team regulars, but the majority were youngsters.
Simon Eastwood began in goal, with Kevin Berkoe and Sam Long in the full-back positions.
Nico Jones, who scored an own goal in the U’s 1-2 win at Brackley Town on Thursday, was partnered alongside Rob Dickie at the back.
Mark Sykes and Jamie Hanson started in the centre of midfield, with Frear on the left and Kyran Lofthouse on the right. Tariqe Fosu started behind Fabio Lopes, who also netted at Brackley.
It was the newly promoted National League side that started brightly at Kingfield. Jake Hyde, who later scored in the match for the hosts, came close inside ten minutes from a corner.
The U’s saw plenty of the ball, but found it difficult to get in behind and create chances, and the first half struggled to gain momentum.
But, just nine minutes before the break, Sykes found Frear with a beautiful assist, and the winger rounded one defender before slotting home.
Sykes himself then could have got on the score sheet, but the Northern Ireland international fired wide.
The U’s were tested, again from a corner, before the break, but Jack Cook’s header was off target.
Henry replaced Fosu at the break, who himself was carrying a knock, but before long the hosts were level. Berkoe initially made a terrific block, but Hyde was there to head home the equaliser.
Dickie, who was also carrying a knock, then blocked from Steve Tarpay as the hosts began to take control.
Robinson made changes. Sam Allardyce, Tony McMahon, John Mousinho, Cameron Brannagan, Josh Ruffels and Alex Gorrin all came on, replacing Long, Dickie, Sykes, Hanson, Jones and Berkoe.
But, just minutes after the U’s made their substitutions, Henry was caught on the edge of the box as he was about to shoot.
Last seasons top scorer twisted awkwardly, and, after a lengthy stoppage for treatment, he was withdrawn.
Lofthouse had the best chance to win the game late on. He was sent clear by Frear, but the teenage winger fired tamely into the side netting.
It’s a frustrating way to end an otherwise pretty decent week. The U’s had three successive pre-season victories at Oxford City, Thame United and Brackley Town respectively, but as noted in those wins, the squad lacks depth.
Rob Hall, Malachi Napa and Jamie Mackie all missed the game through injuries and knocks, and although the team have managed to complete four matches in five days, they looked jaded.