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Oxford United beaten 2-0 by Saints in first St Mary’s visit

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Early goals from Cyle Larin and Shea Charles were all that was needed to send Matt Bloomfield’s men home empty handed.

Striker Will Lankshear’s bad miss saw Oxford’s best chance at getting back into the game go begging in the second period with Saints almost finding a third when Tom Fellows struck the crossbar not long after.

The U’s got off to a poor start on the south coast, conceding the opener after just six minutes.

Oxford United’s Myles Peart-Harris runs with the ball against Southampton’s Cameron Archer (Image: Oxford United)

A defence-splitting ball from Taylor Harwood-Bellis found Fellows who put it on a plate for Larin to stretch and poke home from close range.

Saints doubled their lead seven minutes later when a short corner was played all the way back to Charles who curled the ball into the top right corner from about 35 yards out.

The hosts remained with the majority of the ball and again looked for Larin, this time a low cross being met first by Jamie Cumming.

Oxford United’s Yunus Konak runs alongside Southampton’s Cyle Larin (Image: Oxford United)

A header from Ryan Manning was cleared by Michal Helik, whilst the Yellows struggled to create when in possession.

Yunus Konak had a volley at goal fly over the bar from the edge of the area, with their best passage of play coming at the culmination of the half, Myles Peart-Harris unable to acrobatically finish.

Tonda Eckert’s men had an early effort in the second half when Manning pulled the ball back for Finn Azaz who placed the ball towards goal, Ciaron Brown booting clear.

Oxford United’s Sam Long carries the ball away from Southampton’s Samuel Edozie (Image: Oxford United)

Oxford then finally found some sustained pressure, Stan Mills having a penalty shout waved away after going down under a challenge from Flynn Downes.

Shouts for handball followed as Mills again twisted and turned in the box, before a trio of shots, two from Cameron Brannagan and one from Lankshear, were all blocked.

READ MORE: Inside the Kassam as Will Vaulks delivers emotional evening

Azaz and Manning had efforts denied for Saints before Lankshear squandered an enormous chance to score after intercepting Harwood-Bellis’ pass and having only the goalkeeper to beat but sliding the ball wide of the bottom right corner.

The hosts then missed their own big chance, Cumming saving a Ross Stewart shot down low before Fellows struck the crossbar with the follow-up from close range.

READ MORE: Oxford United CEO thanks ‘inspirational’ Will Vaulks

More chances followed for Saints, Fellows’ low effort denied and Stewart heading over before Cumming punched a James Bree free kick clear.

The Yellows substitutes failed to make a late impact as Southampton extended their unbeaten run to 14 games.

Southampton: Peretz, Bree, Harwood-Bellis, Stephens, Manning (Quarshie 91), Downes, Fellows (Matsuki 77), Azaz (Oyekunle 91), Charles, Archer (Edozie 59), Larin (Stewart 59)

Oxford: Cumming, Spencer, Long, Helik, Brown, Currie (Donley 70), Brannagan, Konak (McDonnell 70), Mills (Emakhu 88), Lankshear (Harris 77), Peart-Harris (Jin-woo 77)

Bookings: Mills, Spencer, Helik





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Oxford United boss Aaron Ramsey on long-awaited Huddersfield clash

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The Yellows travel to West Yorkshire on Tuesday night for their third League One fixture of the season.

Ramsey’s side have drawn and won each of their first couple of third-tier games so far and will face Huddersfield for the first time in a competitive match since 2004.

The Terriers have begun the campaign with the same record, looking impressive under manager Martin Drury.

Oxford beat last season’s play-off semi-finalists Stevenage last time out, two second-half strikes seeing a resolute United past their physical opponents.

“We want to be on the front foot,” Ramsey reiterated ahead of the trip to the Accu Stadium.

“We want to be controlling games and that’s the way that my staff and I feel like is the best way to do that and win football games.

“It’s difficult to just keep taking blows and blows and trying to keep the opposition.

“For me, it’s to have as much control on the game as possible.”

The last time Oxford faced off against the Terriers was in March 2004 when they were beaten 1-0 at home in the Third Division.

In their 26 total match-ups, the Yellows have won just nine whilst Huddersfield have come away victorious on 13 occasions.

Drury’s side finished ninth in the third tier last season but, after bringing in some good new signings, are set for a strong campaign in a competitive league.

“They’re a really good team,” Ramsey admitted.

“The manager has implemented his ideas across there and you can see that they’re a settled team with good ideas.

Oxford United manager Aaron RamseyOxford United manager Aaron Ramsey (Image: Adam Davy/PA Wire)

“But, again, full focus is on us and on how we want to approach the game.

“We’ve had a few tests so far, which we really stood up to.

“So, it’ll be different on Tuesday, another tough test, but one that will prepare the boys as best we can.

READ MORE: Ramsey says Mills departure ‘best solution’ for Oxford United

READ MORE: Ex-Oxford United goalkeeper Jacob Knightbridge joins Tottenham Hotspur

“When the boys are playing the way that they are and buying into it, yeah, of course, there has to be positivity around there.

“Obviously, as well, there’s moments when we do look back on things and we identify areas that we can improve on.

“We want to win football games, so we need to score goals. We want to be exciting.”

Tuesday night also sees the arrival of transfer deadline day.

11PM – approximately an hour after full time in West Yorkshire – sees the window slam shut.

Oxford remain under a temporary transfer embargo, however Ramsey has said that the club is “working to try and come up with a few things” after Stanley Mills left for Championship club Preston North End last week.





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Oxford United CEO resignation after relegation and transfer embargo

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Following a turbulent summer at Oxford United, which has included a change of manager and a transfer embargo, the club’s CEO has resigned.



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What next for Oxford United after Stanley Mills departure

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The summer-long saga has felt more like a decade and surely head coach Aaron Ramsey has felt the same after enduring the ritual of being asked about Mills’ status on a weekly basis.

After missing the U’s first pre-season friendly, the winger scored in the second, a 2-1 win over Barnet, and featured in the following couple.

He then missed out in the first competitive game of the season, a 2-0 Carabao Cup defeat at Leyton Orient, before a move to PNE was confirmed by Ramsey ahead of the League One opening day, but not until January.

Mills messaged his boss requesting not to play in the 2-2 opening day home draw with MK Dons before coming off the bench to assist Gatlin O’Donkor in the Yellows’ 2-1 win at Stevenage.

That would prove to be the 22-year-old’s final display in a United shirt, the young attacker showing little enthusiasm upon Oxford taking the lead in Hertfordshire, hinting that his head had certainly been turned.

“I’ve known about it all summer and from the start I’ve wanted to be here, wanted to get going as a Preston player and now it is official.”

Stan Mills is set for a move to Preston in JanuaryStan Mills has joined Preston (Image: Jason Dawson)

Mills’ first words as a Lilywhites player say it all.

Considering the former Everton man has never scored more than three goals in a senior season, my personal opinion was that a January move would be ideal for all parties.

In an ideal world, Oxford would keep a star player for six months, Mills could get his numbers up as a standout player in a weaker league and PNE would get an in-form winger through the doors in the new year.

READ MORE: Ramsey says Mills departure ‘best solution’ for Oxford United

READ MORE: Ex-Oxford United goalkeeper Jacob Knightbridge joins Tottenham Hotspur

But patience is a rare virtue in football these days and off goes the winger to Lancashire.

So, what now for United?

The U’s are without a recognised right-sided midfielder – young Aidan Elliott-Wheeler could be considered – and remain under a temporary transfer embargo.

Aidomo Emakhu has played on the right so far this season and has offered some outlet but he does look much more comfortable in his more natural position on the right.

Oxford United's Stan Mills celebrates Ciaron Brown's goal against Preston North EndOxford United’s Stan Mills celebrates Ciaron Brown’s goal against Preston North End (Image: Gary Oakley/PA Wire)

Then there is 17-year-old Mo Missanga, a youngster who helped change the tide on the opening day against MK Dons and who has excited supporters and the U’s boss alike.

Ramsey has hinted that the Yellows are searching for solutions, and it is understood that a loan transfer where Oxford do not pay any share of the player’s wages could be a way of bringing a player in before Tuesday’s deadline.

Given the circumstances, it will be difficult to replace the ability of Mills but there is certainly a sense of relief that this saga is over.

Now it is time to focus on the football and maintain a strong league position heading into January.





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