Oxford United 1 Colchester United 0

Line-up and stats: https://rageonline.co.uk/mainpage/fixture/2025-08-12/

Well, I said in my match preview that we would probably scrape our way through the first round and it wouldn’t be pretty, and I was right.

Fielding a changed – but still relatively strong – side, United did just enough to ensure that they would be in the hat for tonight’s second round draw as they beat League 2 Colchester thanks to Tyler Goodrham’s ninth-minute strike.

Tyler Goodrham fires United into the next round (photo: Steve Daniels)

There were times, especially before the goal and in the last 15 minutes of the game, that the U’s showed the gap between the sides with some classy passing and some excellent opportunities. For much of the rest of the game, though, Oxford really struggled to break down their opponent’s low block and disciplined defence.

Colchester keeper Matt Macey kept his team in the tie with a number of good saves, while at the other end Jamie Cumming was mostly untested, just one long-range drive in the first period that he had to get down to and clutch, although it was possibly going wide anyway.

After forcing a couple of early corners and passing their way through the lines, once they went ahead through Goodrham’s spectacular shot United let the momentum drift away, and their only other presentable chance in the first half was from Matt Phillips, playing on the left, as he drifted inside and placed a curling shot that was heading for the bottom corner before Macey palmed it away.

The second half, like much of the first, was characterised by misplaced passes, cheap fouls, and a lack of off-the-ball movement at the top end of the pitch. This, along with Colchester’s willingness to pack the midfield, meant that United often had to go back to dry to draw a well-drilled defence out of position, usually to no avail. It was frustrating to watch and probably even more frustrating to play against.

As the second half went on, though, United gradually got the upper hand thanks to a couple of substitutions, notably the introduction of Bradie Spencer, Elliott Moore and Louie Sibley (you heard me), who all brought a fresh energy to the side. Macey made another good save to keep out Cameron Brannagan’s fizzed drive and again after some superb play from Sam Long set up substitute Gatlin O’Donkor for a run on goal, with Macey sticking out a leg to deny the young striker. United’s final chance came from Mark Harris, also off the bench, as he cut the ball onto his right foot and shot past Macey, only for a defender to head the ball off the line.

This may not have been the best performance, and it was probably the only time that this line up will ever be used, but at the end of the day it was job done, which is all you can ask really. I think the win was deserved, despite Colchester’s best efforts, and it was topped off with the kind of mass brawl – kicked off by Brannagan and Samson Tovide – that always adds to the entertainment value.

Let’s hope that the win gives the side some extra belief going into Sunday’s Championship game at Hull City, who were knocked out of the cup on penalties at Hollywrex.