A full strength United side beat Oxford City 4-0 at Court Place Farm this evening. The Us began playing 4-4-2 with Andy Woodman in goal. The full backs were Scott McNiven and Matt Robinson with Andy Crosby and Matt Bound in the centre. Andy Scott started off in the left wing position with Dean Whitehead on the opposite flank and, in central midfield, James Hunt and traillist Tommy Widdrington. Up front Julian Alsop was partnered by ROS Chris Hackett.

United took the lead after just five minutes when Scott headed home a nifty Whitehead cross, and ten minutes later Hackett doubled the lead when he tapped home a Scott cross after good work by Widdrington. In the second half the whole Oxford City side was swapped round and it didn’t take long for Chrissy Hackett’s pace to earn the Us a penalty, duly converted by Crosby. The fact that the foul was a couple of feet outside the area is irrelevant.

Dexter Blackstock then came on for Matt Bound as United switched to 3-5-2, with Hackett moving to right wingback and Scott dropping to become the left-sided central defender. On the hour a fierce shot from Widdrington was deflected home to make the score 4-0. Bound then came back on as Scott had to go off with an injury, and shortly afterwards Jefferson Louis replaced Alsop. There was applause all round, including from the United players, with three minutes to go, when Jamie Brooks came on for Dean Whitehead for his first game in a Yellow shirt for over a year. Unfortunately Jamie’s contribution was as significant as Abdou Sall’s as he didn’t even get to touch the ball.

Generally United played very well, with Whitehead and Hackett in particular linking up very well. Widdrington looked very comfortable on the ball and, on the strength of this performance, could provide some comfort for the loss of Bobby Ford. Alsop held up the ball well but looks a tad overweight, and the defence rarely looked troubled. Only Hunt didn’t impress, but these are early days and it will be interesting to see what line-up Ian Atkins will choose when he has Dave Waterman, Paul McCarthy, Mark Rawle and Derek Townsley fit for active service.