An Oxford United XI beat Carterton 2-1 this evening at Kilkenny Lane, thanks to two second half goals from Daniel Meade. Chris Blakeley had given the home side the lead after 16 minutes with an excellent volley, and Carterton held on until 15 minutes from time, when Meade headed home a superb cross from triallist Jude Stirling. United’s winner came in the last minute, as Kyle McCoy burst into the area but had his shot parried by Carterton keeper Scott Rose. The rebound fell to Meade, who swept the ball home from the edge of the area.

United’s starting line-up featured three triallists, including Stirling. Oxford City’s Gareth McCleary played on the right wing, while Richard Shittu, brother of former QPR striker Danny, played up front, alongside Billy Beechers. Unfortunately, neither of the strikers impressed, and Shittu limped off at half-time, to be replaced by McCoy. Stirling and McCleary were both fairly subdued in the first half, but came alive in the second period and caused all sorts of problems for the Carterton left.

Billy Turley played the full game in goal, with Dave Woozley and Lee Molyneaux in the centre of defence. Ben Weedon was at left back, and he linked up well with Jerome Anderson until Anderson was replaced by Meade after 63 minutes. The centre of midfield consisted of Paul Burton and David Oldfield, although Oldfield moved up front to partner McCoy after Beechers was replaced by Josh Kennet on the hour.

Notable moments from the game, apart from the goals, included an impromptu appearance on the line by Womble, who even managed to get a couple of decisions right. On one occasion referee Tim Siret showed the yellow card to a Carterton player after allegedly being called a “Cowley Road bumpkin” (no, we don’t know what it means either).

In other news, two sets of fixtures were released today. United’s reserves kick off their Pontins Holidays Combination East fixtures with a home game against Southend on Wednesday 17 August at Court Place Farm, followed by another home match against Luton on 7 September. In the draw for the Oxfordshire FA Cup, Oxford United Ladies (formerly Morris Motors WFC) are to play at Oxford City on Sunday 16 October, with further games against Launton (22 Jan) and Mansfield Road (19 March) in a round-robin series.

Former United players with new clubs include Dave Mackay, who today signed with SPL outfit Livingston (the Scottish equivalent of Franchise FC); Abdou Sall’s long United career has now been rewarded as he joins an ever-growing list of old boys at Forest Green Rovers; while it appears (although unconfirmed) that former scholar Eric Odhiambo has been signed by Bolton Wanderers. Meanwhile, former Rage On sponsee Jamie Cook scored one of Aldershot’s goals as the Shots beat Bristol Rovers 2-0 last night. Cook, currently on Maidenhead’s books, was having a trial with the Shots, as was Mark Rawle.