A debut goal from Tariqe Fosu wasn’t enough as Oxford United drew their opening League One game at Sunderland.
The U’s looked comfortable at the break, but a Lyndon Gooch penalty levelled the match early in the second half after Josh Ruffels fouled the American.
Both sides had chances to win the game but they had to settle for their third successive 1-1 draw.
Your #oufc XI this afternoon: pic.twitter.com/xceJymNK0d
— Oxford Mail OUFC (@OxfordMailOUFC) August 3, 2019
Karl Robinson fielded possibly his strongest eleven, bar the inclusion of new defender, Elliott Moore.
Simon Eastwood began in goal, with Ruffels and Chris Cadden as the full-backs. Rob Dickie, who signed a new deal in the week, was partnered with John Mousinho at the back.
Alex Gorrin and Cameron Brannagan started in the centre of midfield, with new signings 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 Oxford that started the game brighter. Woodburn and Fosu both looked lively in the early exchanges, with the latter crossing for Mackie who was unable to reach the ball.
At the other end, Eastwood expertly denied Marc McNulty as both sides looked for an early opener.
And it was the U’s that found it after 14 minutes. Woodburn expertly pounced on a loose touch before slotting through to Fosu, who did well to beat Jon McLaughlin.
The Black Cats looked for an immediate response but their crosses and corners were expertly defended by Robinson’s side. As the half proceeded, the hosts were causing more problems with crosses, but we’re unable to find a way through.
At the other end, Dickie had the ball in the back of the net but the goal was ruled out after Mackie appeared to be in contact with the Sunderland goalkeeper.
The end-to-end first half continued, but Eastwood was never really tested and the host’s final ball had been disappointing, while the U’s were unable to take their chances as the game headed for the break.
Pleased with their advantage, Robinson’s side would have wanted to keep it tight for the opening ten minutes or so, but when Ruffels lunged in on Gooch after just four minutes, a penalty was awarded despite protests from the Oxford players. Gooch stepped up and converted successfully.
The hosts had their tails up. Mousinho was given a yellow for a foul on Will Grigg, but it took nearly fifteen second-half minutes before the U’s got going. Woodburn’s cross was turned away before Brannagan forced a save from Mackie’s knockdown.
But again, the host’s final ball wasn’t good enough. Dickie headed clear a Gooch free-kick before Eastwood tipped away the rebound.
Oxford were hanging on, but Dickie, who had been solid at both ends, saw his header from a corner sail wide before Woodburn’s long-range effort sailed over.
The game began to fade away from both sides, despite a late Aiden McGeady free-kick hitting the U’s wall.
Oxford and their 1,122 travelling fans would have taken this result before kick-off, and although there were a couple of frail moments, the performance, on the whole, was very impressive.
