United strolled to a comfortable victory over Oxford City at Court Place Farm this afternoon in their first pre-season friendly. The Us fielded a different side in each half which gave no real indication of what Graham Rix’s first choice eleven might be, but there were some players who shone.

In the first half Leo Roget wore the captain’s armband, and was outstanding, marshalling the defence and powerful in the air. Alongside him Dave Woozley looks like he needs a bit more fitness work, but he didn’t allow the gigantic Wayne Cort a look in. At right back was a triallist, Lee Molyneux, formerly of Portsmouth, Derry City, Weymouth, and Selsey, who did alright but was nothing special, whereas Terry Parker at left back had a fine game. The midfield shone, with Rob Wolleaston, looking like a young Don Goodman, oozing class, complemented ably by Michael Alexis on the left and Chris Hackett on the right, although Hackett often joined the strikers to make a front three. Barry Quinn had a bit of a stuttering start, and had to leave the field early after receiving a bang on the bonce, to be replaced by Mark E’Beyer, who had a storming match. Up front Steve Basham and Tommy Mooney looked to be forging a fine partnership, with the promise of good things to come. Chris Tardif kept goal, and did everything he had to do without drama.

United opened the scoring after about quarter of an hour, when Roget headed home a left-wing corner from Parker. Five minutes before half-time a snap shot by Alexis from the edge of the area doubled the score.

In the second half, in flagrant flouting of FIFA’s new directive about substitutions, United changed ten of their players, only E’Beyer retaining his position. Simon Cox replaced Tardif and, like his predecessor, didn’t put a foot wrong. Dave Mackay and Matt Robinson took over the full back positions and were solid throughout, although Adam Garner and Swindon triallist Ben Martin, a Phil Whelan lookalike, didn’t seem totally confident. Alongside E’Beyer in the centre of midfield was Paul Wanless, still looking up for a pint, but as solid as ever, and even splaying a few decent passes around. Danny Brown was wide on the left, and he linked up well with Robbo. Up front was the trio of Danny Morgan, Julian Alsop and new captain Lee Bradbury. Morgan was full of running, and often took up good positions down the channels, while Alsop won everything in the air. Bradbury looked a class above everyone else on the pitch, and linked up very well with Morgan especially.

City pulled a goal back after about ten minutes of the half, a fine shot from Neil Crosby giving Cox no chance. Ten minutes later Bradbury and Morgan linked up well, leading to a trip on Bradbury in the City area. Bradbury stepped up himself to neatly dink the ball into the net. With about fifteen minutes remaining E’Beyer dispossessed a City player in midfield and bore down on goal, before slipping a fine shot past the helpless goalie.

All in all this was a good workout, with some of the players looking very useful, and others giving Rix an idea of what work still needs to be done. The only absentees were Jon Ashton, who had received a knock in training the other day, Jamie Brooks, who is presumably still considered a bit too frail, perhaps, and Jefferson Louis and Mark Rawle, whose absences potentially spoke volumes.

United (first half): Chris Tardif, Lee Molyneux, Leo Roget, Dave Woozley, Terry Parker, Chris Hackett, Barry Quinn (Mark E’Beyer), Robert Wolleaston, Michael Alexis, Tommy Mooney, Steve Basham.

United (second half): Simon Cox, Dave Mackay, Ben Martin, Adam Garner, Matt Robinson, Danny Morgan, Mark E’Beyer, Paul Wanless, Danny Brown, Lee Bradbury, Julian Alsop.