United’s final pre-season friendly saw the reserves beat Oxford City 3-1 at Court Place Farm, in a rearranged game following a washout first time around. The two first-team players who played, Chris Willmott and Steve Basham, both got on the scoresheet, with Billy Beechers also finding the net.

Lewis Craker put City ahead after about 20 minutes, when he was unmarked at a corner and allowed to head home. United’s equaliser, towards the end of the first half, came from a corner of their own, with Willmott heading home, much to his own apparent surprise.

In the second half, United’s superior fitness and technique began to tell, and Beechers soon rifled home to give the Yellows the lead. The Us should have extended this a few minutes later, when Beechers was fouled in the City area. Basham took the penalty, but his shot was too casual, and struck the join between the crossbar and post. However, Bash made amends a bit later, with a superb 20-yard shot that left substitute City keeper Milan Barasic well beaten.

Ray Spence looked lively up front for City, and with his scoring record may well find himself playing higher up the Pyramid at some stage. However, there were also some positives for United to take from this match, not least the fact that Willmott, Basham, and Yemi Odubade all got another 90 minutes under their belts. Another positive was that the reserves have adapted well to the 3-5-2 system, and once again Ben Weedon showed that he will be a useful back up should Gavin Johnson be injured or suspended. In addition, Beechers looked sharp, and Tom Franklin and Andy Gunn were both solid at the back, alongside Willmott. Another real plus point was the performance of Daniel Meade at right wingback, although the absence of Mohamed Lamine might lead one to infer that his time at the club has come to an end. Hopefully not, but in Meade the Us have a real prospect.