[@gallery]20070811[/@gallery]Oxford United won their first game of the new season, although they had to wait until injury time to score the goal that beat Forest Green Rovers.[@opponent]Forest Green Rovers[/@opponent] United started strongly, and in the first half hour created several decent chances, with Rob Duffy, Michael Standing, Arthur Gnohere, and Matt Day all going close, with Rovers keeper Ryan Robinson keeping the Yellows at bay. After riding the pressure, though, FGR created chances of their own, and Billy Turley had to be alert to save from Alex Lawless.

United continued to dominate after the break, with Day hitting the bar, and Yemi Odubade forcing Robinson into another save. Lee Dodgson hit the bar for the visitors, but that was a rare opportunity as Oxford showed their intention to prevent a repeat of last season's scoreline here, when the Gloucestershire side won 2-0. In the last five minutes Oxford increased the pressure, as Gary Twigg forced Robinson into another save before Yemi fluffed a decent chance. However, in injury time United's new striker was alert to pick up the rebound after Robinson again saved from another long-range Day effort. Twigg went round the keeper, who pulled him down. Just as Duffy did against Halifax on the opening day last season, Twigg took the spot kick himself to score on his United debut and seal the win.

Jim Smith was unable to select either Chris Willmott or Phil Gilchrist because of injury, so Gnohere was handed his debut in the defence, surprising selected ahead of both Michael Corcoran and Luke Foster. Barry Quinn had his first game as team captain, with Day the other member of the back three in front of Turley. Eddie Anaclet played at right wing back, with another debutant, Alex Jeannin, on the opposite flank. In midfield Eddie Hutchinson started alongside a further two players making the first appearance in a Yellow shirt, Standing and Phil Trainer, while Smith started with Duffy and Joel Ledgister up front. Yemi replaced Ledgister at half time, and on the hour a double substitution saw Carl Pettefer replace Standing, and Duffy make way for Twigg, who became the sixth player to make their United debut today.

Today's match referee was G Sutton, who (as far as we can gather) refrained from producing a card throughout the game, good lad. The attendance was 5,521, of whom 243 made the journey from Nailsworth. Unless some kind soul is prepared to submit one, we won't be able to produce a match report. Go on, you know you want to.

Elsewhere on the opening day of the Conference, the biggest winners were Exeter City, who won 4-1 at Altrincham with Steve Basham one of two players to score in injury time. Early favourites Stevenage Borough lost 2-1 at CVA-dodging Crawley Town, for whom Guy Madjo scored both goals. Last season's other play-off semi-finalists, York City, lost 2-1 at home to United's next opponents, Cambridge United.

Of the promoted teams, Droyslden and Salisbury City fought out a goalless draw. Histon drew 2-2 at home to Burton Albion, who needed a last minute Daryl Clare goal to earn a point, and Farsley Celtic beat Stafford Rangers 1-0. The team with the new name, Ebbsfleet United, beat Northwich Victoria 2-1. Aldershot had a good start, with a 2-1 win at Kidderminster Harriers, while Weymouth beat Halifax 2-1. Woking and Rushden & Diamonds drew 1-1. Torquay United, relegated from Division Four last season, play Grays Athletic live on the box tomorrow.