Report thanks to Jon Moore

Danny Brown?s ability as an attacking wing-back was clearly displayed at Court Place Farm this afternoon, as Oxford scored five goals in the second half ? after he was taken off at half-time!

Both he and ROS Chris Hackett failed to start for the second half (presumably to save them for the bench on Saturday, with Hackett feeling a sore thigh) being replaced by Josias Carbon and triallist from Hearts Chris O?Neil. In truth, Swansea?s collapse was probably more to do with substitutions of their own which saw a fairly young side get younger still. Former OUFC assistant manager Mark Harrison was also present to watch his goalkeeping son, Ryan, gift Oxford goals and chances with a woeful second half display, in front of a baying home crowd.

Mark Rawle put himself about well up front scoring twice, a feat matched by David Oldfield. Oldfield’s first was a classy lob from distance after a weak clearance by Harrison (Ryan, not Mark). The other Oxford goal came from ?Jugs? Townsley (although that might have been ?Degs? but I haven?t got his ears so I didn?t hear it properly).

Dave Waterman was quietly assured at the back, marshalling the scholar Adam Garner and Andrew Ballard, a triallist from Oxford City in a back three. Behind them, another triallist, Steve Bray had a competent game in goal for Oxford and was given little chance with the Swansea goal. Townsley and Michael Alexis were quiet in midfield, while Jamie Brooks played well in the hole behind the strikers, although noticeably tiring in the last twenty minutes.

Overall, plaudits for Rawle, who put himself about up front, Waterman in defence, and both Carbon and O?Neill, who caused a tiring Swansea team problems on the flanks throughout the second half.