United opened the new season with a 1-0 defeat at Boston United, the only goal coming eight minutes from time by substistute Lee Thompson, just six minutes after coming on. Jon Ashton was caught in possession, dallying on the ball, and Thompson dispossessed him to easily beat Chris Tardif. Oxford had been awarded a penalty after 23 minutes, when Rob Wolleaston’s goalbound shot was fielded by Greg Strong, who was lucky to be only booked. Unfortunately Lee Bradbury’s penalty was unconvincing and Nathan Abbey made a straightforward save diving to his left. Former United winger Courtney Pitt came on for Boston after 69 minutes, and brought an excellent save out of Tardif with a drive from the corner of the area.

United kicked off the new campaign fielding six players who joined the club in the Summer. In front of Tardif were newcomers Dave Mackay at right back, Leo Roget in the centre of defence, Rob Wolleaston in central midfield, and a new front pairing of Bradbury and Tommy Mooney. They partnered Ashton and Matt Robinson at the back, plus ROS Chris Hackett, Paul Wanless, and Danny Brown in midfield. With quarter of an hour remaining Hackett, who had been unable to find enough space to embark on his runs, was replaced by Jefferson Louis, who played up front and injected some urgency to United’s front line. Shortly after falling behind Terry Parker came onto the left wing to replace the ineffectual Brown.

The referee was Carl Boyeson, who took charge of our game at York last season. He was, frankly, abysmal. The attendance of 3,596 included just over 900 Oxford supporters. We have been promised a match report by James B, which we hope to have online tomorrow.

Elsewhere in the newly named League Two, last season’s play-off finalists, and United’s next opponents, Mansfield, lost 2-0 at home to Ian Atkins’ Bristol Rovers. The other play-off sides, Lincoln and Northampton, both won away, the Imps beating Shrewsbury 1-0 and the Cobblers winning 2-0 at Swansea, with Sam Ricketts scoring Northampton’s second goal in his own net. Yeovil had a losing start to the season, going down 3-1 at Bury, while the teams relegated from Division Two last season had mixed fortunes. Wycombe were the only winners, beating Cambridge 2-1 at Adams Park, and Grimsby were the only losers, going down 1-0 at Darlington. Rushden were held to a goalless draw at Nene Park by Kidderminster, while Notts County drew 1-1 at home to managerless Chester.

Scunthorpe, who visit Oxford next Saturday, beat Rochdale 3-1, while Oxford’s opponents in a fortnight, Leyton Orient, went down 3-1 at home to Brian Horton’s Macclesfield. The division’s remaining fixture saw Cheltenham win 2-0 at Southend. In League One, Dean Windass gave Bradford City the lead at Hartlepool, but The Bantams eventually lost 2-1, and Sam Stockley scored Colchester’s second in their 3-0 win at Sheffield Wednesday.