Reserves step on the Gas

Oxford United reserves drew 1-1 at home to Bristol Rovers this evening. After a goalless first half United took the lead shortly into the second when Steve Anthrobus finished clinically from a first-time Chris Hackett cross. United dominated the remainder of the second half but were unable to add to their tally and Bristol Rovers equalised in the last minute. Oxford included triallists Mosiah Blake from West Brom and Kerwin Jemmott from Trinidad and Tobago, both of whom looked lively if a little lightweight. Steve Davis, Ben Abbey, Jon Shepheard and Jamie Cook also featured to allow Denis Smith to run the rule over them. Mickey Lewis also played – could be one for the future?

Kassam wows the locals

Last night Firoz Kassam attended a residents' meeting at the Greater Leys Community Centre. The meeting was well attended and, after the usual AGM business, Kassam was asked to address the meeting, which evidently came as a surprise to him. He told the locals that he wasn't in the footy business to make money, and that football is an very expensive hobby.

New points to emerge included:

• He hoped the builders would be on site by the end of February;
• He anticipated the stadium would be finished by the middle to end of October;
• The hotel to be built alongside the stadium will cost £8 – £10 million and will be a 4-Star hotel catering mainly for business people and conference delegates;
• There is planned to be a 'shuttle service' between the Manor and Minchery Farm;
• If Nick Pentith's Judicial Review is successful it will have a “major impact on funding”;
• Firoz Kassam has no financial backers – all the money spent so far is his own;
• The Priory will continue to trade in its current format;
• Where possible site visits will be allowed to inspect progress.

Mosiah has arrived!

United are giving a trial to another left-sided player, West Brom youth teamer Mosiah Blake, whom Denis Smith apparently rates very highly.