The first game of pre-season is always a curious affair as fans try to identify the new players and see how the heroes of last season have adjusted after the summer break. The truism is that results of these games matter less than the players getting game time, plus the nice little earner hoped for by the home team. Didcot Town were particularly fortunate that they were the first to host Oxford United following the Wembley play-off win over York City, and the Diddy men were rewarded with a large (relatively speaking) crowd eager for the first football action since 16 May.

United's approach in the first half was reminiscent of World Cup winners Spain, albeit without the Galacticos. Oxford moved the ball about quickly with a lot of nice one-touch passing and some exquisite approach play. As they neared the opponent's penalty area they continued to knock the ball about without really penetrating, and often were outnumbered before managing to get a shot away. When they were able to get a strike on goal the Didcot defenders did well to block, while former Oxford 'keeper Sam Warrell made several decent saves.

Oxford took the lead as early as the 4th minute when some good work by new boy Asa Hall on the left of the penalty area allowed him to get a cross over that Matt Green flicked past Warrell from six yards. The goal was greeted by the horn of a passing train, sounding suspiciously like a vuvuzela. The hosts equalised in the 20th minute; it appeared that Ryan Clarke had managed to get down to smother the danger at the feet of Michael Bartley, but somehow the Didcot striker managed to dig the ball out and prod it into the net. Jack Midson had a golden opportunity to score following an impeccable cross from Damian Batt, but his header was straight at Warrell, who later was injured when pulling off an excellent save from Midson. First-half triallist Leigh Franks, released by Huddersfield Town at the end of last season, did well, winning everything in the air and making one superb crunching tackle on the right wing after Batt was out of position following yet another jinking run.

United regained the lead eight minutes into the second half. A Mitchell Cole corner was met by James Constable, whose header was cleared off the line, but young centre-back Henry Owen was on hand to head the ball home. A minute later and Oxford established a two-goal lead when Reading triallist Ryan Crockford unleashed an unstoppable shot from at least 25 yards. On the hour Didcot pulled a goal back when new goalie Simon Eastwood allowed a hopeful long ball to bounce in front of him, and Riccardo Cannon nipped in to steer the ball home. Oxford's two-goal lead was restored six minutes later when Alfie Potter jinked down the right wing and his cut-back was tapped into Cole's path by Crockford, allowing Cole to shoot past substitute 'keeper Tom Bucknor. United scored a fifth when a wonderful through-ball from Sam Deering was collected after an equally wonderful run by Cole, who made up for a couple of earlier misses (actually, two or three fairly brilliant saves by Bucknor) by shooting home in off the post. The final goal of the game arrived with almost the final touch of the ball, as James Constable met a Cole cross to thump a header into the net and make the final score 6-2.

The truism remains true, that the result of these games doesn't matter. However, it's always nicer that it doesn't matter when you win than when you lose.

United (First Half): Ryan Clarke, Damian Batt, Leigh Franks, Jake Wright, Steven Kinniburgh, Dannie Bulman, Simon Heslop, Asa Hall, Matt Green, Aaron Woodley, Jack Midson.

United (Second Half): Simon Eastwood, Ben Purkiss, Mark Creighton, Henry Owen, Anthony Tonkin, Richie Baker, Alfie Potter, Ryan Crockford, Sam Deering, Mitchell Cole, James Constable