Oxford United began pre-season in successful fashion with a hard-fought victory over Ardley in North Oxfordshire. Second half goals from Alfie Potter and Deane Smalley, either side of Ryan Brooks’ penalty, proved enough to give the visitors the win.

Manager Chris Wilder opted to field separate XIs in the scorching Saturday afternoon heat, both operating in a 4-4-2 formation. Former Colchester United defender Matt Heath was the only trialist on show in the opening 45 minutes.

Tyrone Marsh went close for United early on, but the professional outfit could have fallen behind after quarter of an hour when Ardley’s Bryan thumped an effort against Ryan Clarke’s crossbar.

Oxford tradition dictates that kicking down a slope should lead to goals, but the men in yellow were unable to break the deadlock before the break despite the best efforts of Marsh and the athletic Jon Meades.

It didn’t take long for Oxford’s new side to take the lead after the break. New signing Dave Kitson won the ball from the hosts’ goalkeeper, before finding Potter in the area. Potter set a personal best for goals last season and showed he hasn’t lost the eye for the back of the net over the summer as he cut inside and slotted home with his left foot.

United’s XI included trialists Matt Beavans, whose progress at Watford was halted by injury, and Kenzer Lee, who fell out of professional football after leaving West Ham United in January. The latter was adjudged to have nudged an Ardley player in the area and former Oxford United scholar (and brother of Jamie) Ryan Brooks stepped forward to send Max Crocombe the wrong way.

Results are not important at this stage of the season, but United ensured they would head to Scotland next week with a win under their belt as Deane Smalley rose to power Danny Rose’s corner into the back of the Ardley net.

As the whistle blew for full-time, this had been the ideal pre-season opener. Lovely weather, tough work and a game played in the right spirit. United will face tougher tests in the build-up to the new campaign, but football is back and Oxford are winning. What could be better?