Oxford United 0 Weymouth 1

United's first home game of the season ended in defeat, and well and truly dispelled any remaining pre-season optimism as the team put in a frigid display against a decent, but unspectacular, Weymouth side. The Terras won the equivalent fixture last season by the same scoreline, and this time it was former United triallist and Didcot boy Stuart Beavon who did the damage, turning and shooting through Luke Foster's legs to beat Jake Cole in the 18th minute.

Oxford started well, with Yemi Odubade and Lewis Haldane both going close, but Beavon also caused early problems for United, who didn't learn their lesson. Before the goal a Yemi shot forced Richard Barnard to save, and after the goal Barnard had to be alert to keep another Haldane effort out. Yemi also had a couple of chances to threaten, but with the ball on his left foot he chose to cut inside, and the opportunities went begging. Haldane, who looked United's best chance of scoring, then had a shot strike the outside of the post, as United searched in vain for an equaliser.[@news]2348[/@news][@opponent]weymouth[/@opponent]

Oxford continued in a similar vein in the second half. First, James Constable was set free by Yemi, but he delayed his shot and allowed Barnard to close him down. Two minutes later United really should have levelled the scores when Chris Carruthers escaped and crossed low across goal. The ball evaded all the defenders and onrushing attackers, and fell kindly for Levi Reid, ten yards out and totally unmarked. Unfortunately, Reid had too long on the ball, and in his excitement he pulled the ball wide of the far post. Substitute Michael Husbands had a chance almost immediately after coming on, but saw his shot flash just wide, and as the game drew to a close United ran out of steam.

Darren Patterson made three changes to the side that lost at Barrow. The enforced change was replacing James Clarke, who received a red card at Holker Street, with Matt Day. On tonight's showing it was clear why Clarke was the preferred choice. Cole took over from Ben Hinchliffe in goal and he had a fine game. He got his hand to Beavon's shot, but was unable to keep it out, but otherwise he was flawless. The remaining change was Reid starting on the right wing, in place of Rob Davies. The first substitution came 20 minutes into the second half, when Husbands replaced fellow short-term and ex-Macclesfield colleague, Reid, who had played really well. With 15 minutes to go a double substitution saw Alex Fisher come on for a clearly knackered Yemi, and Constable, who had been injured earlier, taken off for the Rage On Sponsored Sam Deering. Both former youth teamers threw themselves into the fray and performed well, but were unable to improve the overall team display, which was poor.

Tonight's referee was Stephen Martin. He didn't do a lot wrong, was occasionally a tad lenient with some of the fouling that went on, and showed Day a deserved yellow card for a scything foul after Pierre Joseph Dubois had made him look like a mug by the corner flag. The attendance was 4,547, of whom just 156 were from Dorset.

Oxford still aren't bottom of the Conference, yet, as Stevenage Borough also lost their second successive game, going down 3-1 at home to United's next opponents, Eastbourne Borough. This was Eastbourne's first win over any club from the fifth tier. The only other side still seeking their first point are Woking, who lost 2-1 at Torquay United after leading at half time. United's other conquerors this season, Barrow, find themselves in the unfamiliar position of being top of the Conference following their 4-3 win at Altrincham. Weymouth are second, and there are two other clubs with a 100 per cent record; Rushden & Diamonds beat Ebbsfleet United 2-0, and Cambridge United beat Kidderminster Harriers 2-1, with Justin Richards scoring a last-minute goal for Kiddy. The evening's biggest winners were Crawley, who won 3-0 at Lewes, with Simon Weatherstone scoring the third. Salisbury City won 2-1 at Forest Green Rovers, while Mansfield beat Histon 1-0. There were two 1-1 draws, between Burton Albion and Northwich Victoria, and Grays Athletic and Kettering Town, for whom John Dempster scored.