Oxford’s penultimate home pre-season friendly, against Premiership side Portsmouth, ended goalless tonight, and gave United good cause for some cautious optimism, with the start of the new season just over a week away. Pompey fielded a more or less full strength side, but Oxford defended well, and even caused the south-coast side a few problems of their own.

The first half was generally pretty even, with Portsmouth having most of the possession, and what few chances there were, but generally not looking four divisions above United. Oxford acquitted themselves well, although Pompey won’t be happy to have lost Lomano Tresor Lua Lua, who seemed to twist his ankle as he drifted in at the far post to sidefoot into the side-netting. He was offside anyway.

Pompey were much more purposeful at the start of the second half, and their passing and movement at times looked like it would unlock United’s defence. Oxford held firm, although they did need a slice of luck when Matt Taylor’s point-blank flick bounced off Billy Turley’s shoulder and away for a corner. At times United struggled to get the ball out of their own half, but Jim Smith changed things around with a double substitution on 64 minutes that almost paid instant dividends. Steve Basham came on for Rob Duffy, for Bash’s first piece of pre-season action following a strained stomach muscle, and Yemi Odubade came on for Carl Pettefer, allowing Andy Burgess to drop back into central midfield.

Yemi’s pace immediately gave the Pompey defence cause for concern, and he linked up well with Eddie Odhiambo-Anaclet, who had a storming game at right wingback. Triallist Mo Lamine replaced Fast Eddie with ten minutes to go, and almost immediately Gavin Johnson’s right-foot shot forced Dean Kiely into his first save of the evening. This was the signal for the Us to start turning the screw, and although they failed to score there were some promising signs. Oxford got in some telling crosses, not least from Eddie Anaclet, whose delivery had given cause for concern earlier in the pre-season, and both his and Lamine’s pace and trickery are going to be very useful weapons in United’s armour this season (assuming Oxford are able to secure a work permit for the Guinean international).

Other positives to come out of the game included the performance of United’s back three, with Matt Day in particular making some superb tackles to deny his former team mates. Barry Quinn looks like he is beginning to settle into his role at the back, and Phil Gilchrist was as solid as ever, revelling in his new role as captain. The midfield was also strong, rarely giving away possession, and often coming away with the ball. Eddie Hutchinson, on his home debut, looked particularly composed, while Pettefer was tigerish all game. John Dempster, derided by some last season for his indifferent form in defence, looks to have found a new niche for himself in the middle, while Johnson, although not as potent going forward as Anaclet, defended superbly.

It was not all rosy, of course. The Premiership side often found themselves with a lot of space, especially on both flanks. There were frequently occasions with two Portsmouth players faced by just one United defender, usually one of the wingbacks. The game also demonstrated United’s need for an out-and-out goalscorer, as the strikers rarely threatened, although to be fair Linvoy Primus had an outstanding game in the Portsmouth defence, winning everything that came near him. However, these negatives should not detract from what was, overall, a very good performance by United against an accomplished Premiership side.