U's start with a win

Brackley Town 0 Oxford United 2

Joey Beauchamp and Andy Scott scored either side of half-time for United in wet and windy conditions in Northants tonight. Beauchamp's goal came from following up a Phil Gray missed penalty whilst Scott scored with a tap-in after good work from Jamie Brookes. Brackley also missed from the penalty spot. Paul Tait wore the captain's armband and United featured all the new signings plus a mystery goalkeeper. John Dreyer also featured for United in a game that was more useful as an endurance exercise in torrid conditions than an opportunity for the team to get to know each other.

Another mistake rectified

United today announced that Ian McGuckin had been released from his contract and will be looking for another club. The slow, cumbersome centre back was signed from Fulham by Denis Smith as United plummetted from respectability, but his time at the club was blighted by a combination of injury and ineptitude. His departure, long requested by United's supporters, comes coincidentally just after Mark Wright was told by Firoz Kassam that he had to reduce the number of defenders in the squad before he could sign John Dreyer. Watch out for a new, unsurprising, defensive signing soon.

The BBC are recording a half-hour documentary about Firoz Kassam and the struggles he has faced getting the new ground ready for the new season. As well as following Kassam around for most of next week, the TV crew will be recording interviews with, amongst others, Mark Wright and (ahem) Rage On. The half-hour programme will be screened on BBC2 sometime in September.