United began their pre-season friendlies with a comfortable 3-1 win at Didcot Town this afternoon. The game went ahead despite the recent downpours, unlike the under-18s match scheduled for Kidlington at the same time, and the Loop Meadow pitch looked in fine condition.[@news]526[/@news]

Jim Smith had already indicated that he wouldn't play anyone who was carrying a knock, and therefore there was no sign of Phil Gilchrist, Chris Willmott, Andy Burgess, Marvin Robinson, or Luke Bennett. With these limitations in mind, Smith chose what he presumably considers his strongest starting line-up. Billy Turley was in goal, while Eddie Odhiambo-Anaclet and new signing Alexandre Jeannin occupied the wing-back positions. The rearguard consisted of Matt Day, Barry Quinn, and the as yet unsigned Michael Corcoran. However, the fact that Corcoran played for the full 90 minutes is a sure indication that he must be due to put pen to paper, mustn't it? The midfield trio was Eddie Hutchinson, new signing Phil Trainer, and Luke Foster, while Yemi Odubade and another new signing, Gary Twigg, began up front.

As you would expect, Oxford had the better of the opening exchanges, and kept possession well. Any Didcot threat was sniffed out by the very solid defence, while both wingbacks looked good both going forward and helping out at the back. In fact, there wasn't really anyone who could be picked out as having a poor game, with Trainer in particular looking a decent acquisition. Oxford broke the deadlock eight minutes before the break, when a fine through-ball from Eddie Anaclet released Yemi, who finished calmly past Michael Watkins.

Standing out in his field

Both sides made several changes for the second half, with United swapping Turley for Chris Tardif, Carl Pettefer came on for Hutch, former Aston Villa, Bradford City, and Walsall midfielder Michael Standing replaced Trainer, new signing Joel Ledgister took Foster's place, while Rob Duffy came on for Twigg. However, it was a former Oxford player, Josh Mulvany, who made the first impact of the half, when his weaving run was halted by Corcoran, who brought him down in the area. Mulvany took the penalty himself, and although Tardif got a hand to it he couldn't keep the ball out, and the scores were level.

United almost regained the lead direct from the kick off, when a superb move involving several players ending with Pettefer heading narrowly wide from Jeannin's cross. Oxford did eventually edge back in front, when a corner from Jeannin, who was taking them from both sides, was met low by a stooping Duffy to head home. Duffy emphasised his claim for a starting place when he grabbed his second, six minutes later. Another Jeannin corner found its way to Duffy, ten yards out, and he smashed the ball back into the net with aplomb. Two further substitutions followed shortly, with Ben Weedon coming on for Jeannin, and David Malloy replacing Anaclet. Despite being reduced to nine outfield players for the last fifteen minutes, after Yemi was forced to limp from the field, United remained unduly troubled, and went close to extending their lead with chances for Ledgister and Pettefer.

Weedon throws everything into his game

This was a good way to start the pre-season, and the Oxford management must have been pleased with what they saw from the lads, especially the new signings. The signing of Corcoran could be the final piece in the jigsaw, but Standing gave such a good showing in the second half that Smith must be mulling over bringing him in as another option. And in case anyone was wondering why there was no sign of Simon Travis, it's because the rumours claiming that he was on trial at Oxford were completely unfounded.