Tom Thewlis

Oxford United suffered defeat in their final pre-season friendly, at home against Cardiff City. A spectacular free-kick from Peter Whittingham, followed by a Filip Kiss strike, inflicted a 2-1 defeat on Oxford. This was followed by a fully deserved consolation goal for the home side, scored by Alfie Potter.

Oxford began the game with the line-up that is highly likely to be the one Chris Wilder picks to begin the competitive action against Bournemouth in the Capital One Cup, with Damian Batt, new signing from Rotherham, Michael Raynes, captain Jake Wright and Tony Capaldi providing a solid back-line ahead of Ryan Clarke. New loan signing Lee Cox played in the anchor man role in midfield, with Jake Forster-Caskey and Adam Chapman either side of him. James Constable provided the main point of attack in the front three, flanked by the pacy, skillful duo of Potter and new signing Sean Rigg.

It was the new man from Port Vale, Sean Rigg, who got the first chance of an entertaining opening period. Under pressure from the threatening Potter, Cardiff keeper David Marshall misplaced a clearance which fell perfectly for Rigg, whose first time left footed shot flew narrowly wide of the keepers