Oxford United demolished Aylesbury United 4-0 at Buckingham Road this afternoon, to keep morale high before pre-season friendlies against league opposition. Barry ‘Ninja’ Quinn opened the scoring with a 20 yard thunderbolt after just 19 seconds for his first goal for United, but sadly it won’t appear on his career record. United remained on top throughout the first half, but were unable to add to the scoreline.

Brian Talbot started the game with what looks likely to be his preferred starting line-up, with Chris Tardif in goal in front of a back four of Lee Mansell, Chris Willmott, Jon Ashton, and Matt Robinson. The midfield was Chris Hackett on the right, Quinn and Chris Hargreaves in the centre, and captain for the day Stuart Gray on the left. The opening strike partnership was Lee Bradbury and Craig Davies.

The second half started with Billy Turley on for Tardif, and triallist Rob Hughes in place of Gray, with Ashton taking over the captaincy. Hughes was again impressive, full of tricks and linking up well with Robbo. Although not everything he tried came off this didn’t discourage him, and we would like to see him given a short-term contract, although he would do well to be a bit more vocal.

More substitutions were made, with Steve Basham replacing Davies, and triallist Jude Stirling coming on for Mansell. As the half wore on, Oxford became more and more dominant, with several chances being missed, notably by Bradbury, who often over-elaborated, and Davies, who didn’t. However Bradders set up United’s second goal when he latched onto a poor backpass from an Aylesbury player and raced down the left. He crossed the ball across the goal for Hackett, running at full pelt, to shoot home at an angle.

Within a few minutes the Yellows were 3-0 up, this time Hackett turned provider. He got onto the end of a long cross from Hughes and knocked the ball back for Stirling, who hammered the ball home. Hughes then hit the post with a header from a Hackett cross, and Basham missed a couple of decent opportunities to extend the scoreline. More substitutions followed, Ben Weedon coming on for Robbo, and Dave Oldfield replaced Quinn, while Hackett was applauded off and his replacement, Danny Morgan, was applauded on. United’s fourth goal came from an Ashton header.

Although the Ducks might not have been the best opposition United could have faced, this was still a useful workout, but Talbot will still be left with several things upon which to ponder. Not least, it won’t have been lost on him that none of the four goals came from the strikers, and he must be wracking his brains to determine why that is. Partly it stems from a bit of shot-shyness, especially from self-appointed striker Bradbury. The rest of his game is excellent, but whether or not it’s a lack of confidence, you want your front players to get shots in. In addition, Talbot might also be worrying about who to give the captain’s armband to on a permanent basis. It is good news that there appear to be so many players with the right characteristics to be the captain, but he must be worried that someone like Gray could find himself left out if he doesn’t get involved more in the game. Finally, if Mackay’s departure means that United have some flexibility to take on more players and remain within the wage cap, both Hughes and Stirling look like they could do a job for the club, but that would probably leave nothing left for the one position that might need to be filled before long – a regular goalscoring striker.

Still, for now let’s revel in the glory of victory. This was against a team that previously this pre-season lost by only one goal to third division swindon, and promotion favourites Northampton. Neither Oxford goalkeeper had a save to make, and the final scoreline flattered the home team.