Oxford united FC
Oxford United beat Premier League foes Ipswich in pre-season finale
The Yellows rounded out a perfect pre-season with a clean sheet and comfortable win over the Tractor Boys, Jack Currie and Stan Mills scoring the goals.
Aaron Ramsey’s blueprint was on display throughout, Oxford remaining calm, composed and positive in their play to secure a fourth win from four summer friendlies.
It was a bright start from the U’s as they applied early pressure onto Gary O’Neil’s side.
Jamie McDonnell had the first effort on goal, putting Currie’s low ball into the box wide of the mark under some pressure.
Brodie Spencer thwarted a potential threat at the other end with a sweet tackle on Kasey McAteer.
Oxford showed the fruits of Ramsey’s teachings across the afternoon, evading danger under pressure and creating their own at the other end of the pitch.
It was Ipswich who threatened again however, Jack Clarke forcing a save with a low shot straight at Jamie Cumming.
The Yellows then troubled the goalkeeper themselves, Currie finding Mills with a cross whose shot fell to Mark Harris, the striker shooting first time at Kayne van Oevelen in net.
Former Ajax and Arsenal striker Chuba Akpom went searching for a penalty after making a run into the box which the referee rightfully denied.
Ipswich had the final chance of the half with a blocked header following a corner before the whistle blew with the game goalless.
United were hit with a huge scare after the break, a cross deflecting off Sam Long and onto the crossbar with Wes Burns putting the follow-up into the side netting.
McAteer tried then to find the bottom corner but put his shot wide.
The tied soon turned however, Cameron Brannagan seeing an effort blocked before Goodrham saw his own shot deflected wide.
That pair each saw an effort fly just over the crossbar as Oxford then found the breakthrough.
Goodrham’s run into the box saw him pick out Currie in the centre who tapped into an open net.
Another Goodrham effort deflected and bounced wide before Brannagan had one blocked from a corner.
Mills doubled the lead moments later, pick-pocketing substitute goalkeeper David Button and slotting into another open goal.
Siriki Dembele found the goalkeeper’s arms as Oxford continued positively, Cumming tipping over a dipping Sindre Walle Egeli free kick afterwards.
Leo Snowden and Gatlin O’Donkor both saw shots in the box saved before Peter Kioso fired just wide to see the U’s to victory.
Oxford: Cumming, Spencer (Kioso 73), Long (Helik 77), Brown (Golding 77), Currie (Leigh 77), McDonnell (Bradney 73), Brannagan (Snowden 77), Mills (Elliott-Wheeler 73), Goodrham (Sibley 73), Emakhu (Dembele 66), Harris (O’Donkor 73)
Ipswich: Van Oevelen, Kipre, Burns, Walle Egeli, Johnson, McAteer, Ogbene, Akpom, Compton, Mthunzi, Clarke
Referee Thomas Parsons dished out two red cards as Oxford drew 1-1 with Mansfield Town on Thursday night.
Parsons handed second yellow cards to Peter Kioso and Gatlin O’Donkor, Mansfield’s equaliser through Michael Smith coming after the former’s dismissal.
The Stags goal and the duo of red cards all came within nine minutes, the U’s holding firm to see out a point with nine men.
It came after United had taken the lead in the first half through a sweet strike from Aston Villa loanee Luka Lynch.
Speaking after the match, U’s head coach Ramsey aired his thoughts: “My immediate feeling is I’m super proud of the players, the way they finished that game.
“We went down to eight men for a minute (after a knock for Brodie Spencer) which seemed forever.
“But for us to dig in and to show that togetherness, staying connected as a team, defending the box, bodies on the line, I couldn’t have asked for any more.
“I was super, super proud of them tonight.”
Kioso’s sending off caused outrage among Oxford affiliates, the referee judging the right back to have dived as he went down under contact in Mansfield’s penalty area.
READ MORE: Nine-man Oxford United weather storm for important point against Mansfield Town
READ MORE: Campaigners issue fresh complaint over Oxford United new stadium
Ramsey continued: “I disagree with the decision.
“For me, there’s certainly contact in the area there.
“And, I mean, for the ref then to go ahead and to book him as well, in my opinion, there’s no way PK has dived there.
“So, of course, a big moment in the game where I thought it should have been a penalty.”
For the second red card, O’Donkor received a soft first yellow before making a clumsy challenge to leave the referee with no choice but to show another.
“The first one, I believe it wasn’t a yellow card. And then the second one, it is what it is.”
The hosts’ eventual goal came from a Jamie Cumming mistake, the goalkeeper unable to deal with a cross which was then bundled into the net by Smith.
Despite the error, Ramsey had no ill feelings: “No frustration at all.
“Things happen on the football pitch, but it’s the way that we respond to these things.
“And, like I said, everybody was digging in for each other.
“A couple of players sent off, but I didn’t see that affecting us to accept the defeat, if you like.
“I saw a team that were fighting right until the end to come away with it with something.”
Two league away fixtures in a row have resulted in four points from six, with the U’s now five unbeaten in League One ahead of three consecutive home clashes, starting with Wigan Athletic on Tuesday night.
Aaron Ramsey’s Yellows took the lead in the first half thanks to a peach from Aston Villa loanee Luka Lynch, before a chaotic second half saw Oxford concede an equaliser and reduced to nine men.
Defender Peter Kioso and striker Gatlin O’Donkor both received second yellow cards, meaning United had to weather a late storm to hold onto a point at the One Call Stadium.
Here is how we rated the U’s on Thursday night…
Jamie Cumming – 4.5
Three total saves but a couple of sketchy moments with his feet.
Fumbled the ball for the equaliser, not strong enough coming for the cross.
Disappointing on his return to the team and needs to get some form and rhythm back.
Peter Kioso – 5
Kioso was a bit clumsy in some of his actions, picking up a booking and winning fewer than half of his duels.
Began the second period better, but was dismissed with 15 minutes left after the referee judged him to have dived, receiving a second yellow.
Michal Helik – 6
A couple of slip-ups with his feet but was in the right place to deal with crosses for most of the evening.
11 clearances to his name with backs against the wall late on.
Ciaron Brown – 7
Instinctive to find himself in the right areas at the right times as the Stags got forward.
Immense with 15 total clearances, won all six of his duels and put in a good sliding challenge after a dangerous Mansfield cross.
READ MORE: Nine-man Oxford United weather storm for important point against Mansfield Town
READ MORE: Campaigners issue fresh complaint over Oxford United new stadium
Brodie Spencer – 5
Needed help as left one versus one – sometimes versus two – a lot in the first half and dribbled past twice.
Won four of his five tackles.
Cameron Brannagan – 5
A big error almost led to a goal which was out of character but passing was decent overall with one key pass to his name.
Kai Andrews – 5.5
Got forward a bit more in the second half before having to defend again after the red cards.
Louie Sibley (O’Donkor 59′) – 5
Taken off at the hour mark after a tough outing against a persistent Mansfield.
Luka Lynch (Missanga 59′) – 7.5
A beauty of a strike for his first professional goal and was easily United’s biggest threat.
Was dangerous both cutting inside and getting to the by-line, beating his man and winning three fouls.
That is three assists and one goal in his first five Yellows appearances. Not bad.
Mark Harris (Currie 77′)- 5
Isolated up top.
He is not a hold-up striker so struggled to get involved, with the midfield not there to help him out on many occasions.
His only effort all game was an early glancing header wide.
Siriki Dembele (Long 80′) – 6
A quiet one for his standards this season but grabbed an assist, performed some important carries and won three fouls.
Substitutes:
Mo Missanga (59′) – 6
Gatlin O’Donkor (59′) – 4
Unlucky with the first booking but a silly challenge for his second whilst already on a yellow.
Jack Currie (77′) – N/A
Sam Long (80′) – N/A
Oxford United travel to face Mansfield Town in League One as they look to extend their unbeaten streak to five games.
Source link
-
Oxford united FC4 weeks agoChris Gunter steps away Wales role to focus on Oxford United
-
Oxford University3 weeks agoNew to the Oxford English Dictionary this September
-
Oxford united FC1 week agoLIVE: Exeter City vs Oxford United – Jersey Mike's Trophy group stage
-
Student Life3 weeks agoOxford partnership allows OpenAI to use rare Bodleian texts to train ChatGPT
-
Traffic & Transport2 weeks agoHow poor public transport policy is putting the brake on cities | Road transport
-
Traffic & Transport2 weeks agoWhy should I have to pay more for buses if I don’t use a smartphone? | Bus fares
-
Oxford united FC2 weeks agoNorthern Ireland fans laud Oxford United defender Ciaron Brown
-
Oxford Events4 weeks agoFour days of equestrian spectacle at 2026 Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials