George Dugdale

(Getty Images)

Fine individual efforts from Jake Forster-Caskey and Alfie Potter gave Oxford United a comfortable opening day victory at Bristol Rovers.

Brighton loanee Forster-Caskey curled home from the edge of the penalty area to give the visitors a deserved lead.

Potter's solo-run and low finish doubled Oxford's advantage, whilst goalkeeper Ryan Clarke remained largely untested.

Rovers improved in the second half, but were unable to break through as Oxford recorded the perfect start to the season.

Chris Wilder stuck with the same team who started the Capital One Cup victory over Bournemouth, while Jon-Paul Pittman and Alex Evans were available to be named on the bench. James Constable remained at the heart of the front three as news broke that United had rejected Rovers' third and final bid for the former Shrewsbury striker.

As the sun broke through the cloud to provide the kind of summer's day that we used to tell the children about, United started the game positively. Jake Wright was inches away from meeting a Forster-Caskey corner in the opening stages, before Adam Chapman's sweet drive was comfortably saved by Sam Walker in the hosts' goal.

Rovers thought they had taken the lead after quarter of an hour, but Joe Anyinsah's back-post header was ruled out by a linesman's flag. Whether the decision was for an offside as the free-kick was played into the area or because the ball had crossed the dead-ball line already, only the assistant referee will know.

There were few complaints from the hosts and United took advantage of their escape moments later. Chapman, Rigg and Capaldi all played a part in the move, before the England youth international collected the ball on the edge of the area. Cutting inside onto his favoured left foot, Forster-Caskey whipped his curling effort into the top corner to the delight of the visiting fans at the other end of the ground. Another man who has been known to deliver with the left boot looked on from the heart of the United support, with Peter Leven, Tyrone Marsh, Harry Worley and Michael Duberry taking up residence with the seated fans behind the goal.

Michael Raynes picked up his second booking in two games for denying Matt Harrold's charge for goal, whilst Tony Capaldi also found his way into the notebook for a late lunge on the Rovers goal-line.

United were playing with confidence and doubled the lead shortly after the half hour mark. Alfie Potter, who had been as busy as ever, robbed Michael Smith on the halfway line and made his way towards goal. Constable's diagonal run took the rest of the defenders away and opened the path for Potter to advance into the area before slotting home. If the quality of the two goals in the opening game are to be maintained, the 'goal of the season' award could be a competitive event come May.

As far as an opening 45 minutes to the season can go, this had been a good one for Wilder's team.

Bristol Rovers were unlikely to be as limited as their first half performance after manager Mark McGhee had left the ears of the Gas players ringing and United had to be resilient to withstand early pressure after the break. The manager's team-talk almost had an immediate effect as Harrold prodded goalwards from close range, only to be denied by local boy Clarke.

Rovers continued to dominate possession but the majority of their time was spent ahead of an Oxford defence which was being well protected by Lee Cox. When the ball was delivered from wide Wright and Raynes continued where they had left off in midweek and Clarke was never shy to claim a ball that was delivered too close to his goal.

Wilder was evidently unhappy with the amount of possession being offered to Rovers and changed to a 4-2-3-1 shape in order to press the ball in the midfield more effectively. Oxford's players were working very hard in the heat and Constable, Chapman and Potter were replaced by Deane Smalley, Simon Heslop and Tom Craddock as the half wore on.

The changes in system and personnel allowed United to ease further up the field and control the play once more. Craddock fired into the side-netting moments after coming on, whilst his scuffed shot almost fell into the path of Smalley late on.

Clarke was booked for time-wasting, despite United expecting a substitution, but nothing was going to ruin an extremely positive performance. As the referee blew for full-time, the Oxford faithful were able to reflect on three points on opening day for the first time since the late victory over York City kicked off the promotion season.

United had pulled off the perfect away performance. They had approached the game positively, been clinical to score at good times and combined discipline, endeavour and commitment to see the game out in the second half. As the season progresses Bristol Rovers will become stronger and teams will drop points on their visits to the West Country. For Oxford to have taken three points from Rovers represents an encouraging sign ahead of a long season, especially considering the fact that the players used had an average age of little over 24.

Dean Mohareb made a few incorrect decisions in favour of either team, but controlled the game well as a whole. Ryan Clarke's booking was incredibly harsh and was more a response to the noise of the Rovers fans behind the goal than to what he had seen himself, but his game management allowed an entertaining game.

Elsewhere, Steve Evans' Rotherham opened the New York stadium with a 3-0 victory over Burton Albion. Jack Midson scored the winner as AFC Wimbledon beat Chesterfield, whilst Cheltenham beat Dagenham & Redbridge 2-0. Morecambe returned from the south coast with three points after a 3-0 victory over Exeter, whilst Fleetwood and Torquay played out a goalless draw. Danny Kedwell scored twice as they beat Bradford City 3-1, whilst Josh Payne's penalty helped Aldershot Town to a 2-0 victory over Plymouth Argyle. Port Vale beat Barnet 3-0 and there were no goals between Rochdale and Northampton Town. Southend United were on the end of a shock 1-0 defeat to Accrington Stanley, whilst York's Football League return saw them lose 3-1 to Wycombe Wanderers.

Att: 7,451 Away: 1,019