Aaron Ramsey makes ‘easy’ admission as Oxford United beat Notts County

The U’s beat the Magpies 2-1 on Saturday in their first League One game back after the international break.

Mark Harris scored the opener on his 150th Oxford appearance before Cameron Brannagan found an all important second with two minutes remaining.

Martin Paterson’s side found a consolation through Rory Finneran in stoppage time but it was not enough to stop a comfortable Yellows side from taking the three points back to OX4.

Former Arsenal midfielder Ramsey was pleased with his side’s away display.

“It’s always difficult when you have that much control in the first half and perhaps things do become a little bit more easier than expected,” the ex-Wales international admitted.

Siriki Dembele in action for Oxford United (Image: Oxford United)

“There’s a chance for complacency and things like that to come in, but I didn’t see that today.

“I just saw that they got a little bit more joy from the long balls and maybe that swung it a little bit, but then, regardless of that, I thought we stuck to it really well and everything that they threw at us today, we had answers for and that gave us the chance to go on and win the game.

“I thought we controlled the game really well. We really asked them a load of different questions and it’s difficult to come to places like this.

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READ MORE: Oxford United win 2-1 at Notts County in League One return

“We knew we were going to have to stand up to some of the pressure that they put you in at some point in the game, but I thought we were terrific without the ball today.

“Real intensity in the way that we press, a real togetherness, connected as a team and defending the box really well.

“We pride ourselves a lot on what we do without the ball. We want to be the best in the league at that, in terms of how we measure that.

“Again, we were excellent in that.

Former #OxfordUnited coach Craig Short here at half time Short left the U’s recently after six years with the club. He also played for Notts County for three years. #oufc https://t.co/Ng82xEYlWX

— malachi (@MalachiObrey) October 10, 2026

“It’s going to be super important for us, with the teams that we face in this league, that we have that side of it as well, because without that, we wouldn’t be able to do what we want with the ball.”

Harris’ goal in the 18th minute came from an error from Magpies goalkeeper James Belshaw with Oxford putting the pressure on high up the pitch.

Belshaw gifted a pass to the Welsh striker who was perfectly placed to intercept and slot home.

Ramsey continued: “We want to win the ball high up the pitch, where we’re closer to their goal. For us, that’s super important.

“Again, with the right intensity, the right pressing angles, we can win the ball back in dangerous areas.

“Sparky won it back, and I’m delighted that he got another goal.”