Oxford united FC
Charlton Athletic boss fuming over Oxford United penalty
Will Lankshear went down in the box after a nudge from Kayne Ramsay, Cameron Brannagan slotting the spot kick away 675 days after he netted the U’s last penalty in May 2024.
Oxford failed to hang onto the lead though, Ciaron Brown pulling on the shirt of Lloyd Jones to give Charlton a late lifeline which Charlie Kelman scored in the 93rd minute.
Addicks boss Jones was not happy with both the penalty decision against his side and his team’s performance.
“Am I happy with the level of performance? Absolutely not, especially second half,” the Welshman declared.
“They didn’t stick to the game plan, didn’t listen to a thing I said at half time, and that’s why we came unstuck and conceded.
“I mean, the penalty, I’ve got to choose my words very carefully, an extremely poor decision.
“Saying that, we showed character, we threatened and we probably looked most likely to have won it in the end.
“[Referees] get swayed by crowds and emotion and don’t just make clear decisions.
“You can’t step outside your technical area because they’re right on you and they’ll give bookings and stuff. It’s the poorest of decisions.”
There were not many arguments about the penalty that Brown conceded for Oxford, with Jones saying: “Only a fool wouldn’t have given it.”
Away from refereeing decisions, the Charlton manager was not happy with his team’s display at the Kassam.
“[The players] just didn’t listen at half time.
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“We played into [Oxford’s] hands. They sit off and want you to play easy, basic, slow tempo football and then they’ll break on you, and that’s what they’ve done.
“We said to [the players], their high line, turn them, get on balls in behind and make them defend, composed in the box, and you’ll get joy.
“We did that for the last 15 minutes and got joy [but] we didn’t do it for 75 and that’s why we were 1-0 behind, as well as the poor decision.”
READ MORE: Matt Bloomfield disappointed as Oxford United held to draw
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The point takes Charlton to 48 points in the Championship and nine above the relegation where the U’s currently lie.
After looking like they might be in the thick of the fight for survival, the Addicks look set to secure second-tier status this season after achieving promotion via the play-offs in the previous campaign.
Meanwhile, Matt Bloomfield’s men sit 22nd in the division, one point from safety with West Bromwich Albion and Portsmouth both a single points above them.
Assistant head coach Mike Dodds has officially left Oxford United after just five months in the job to take on the role of assistant head coach with the Championship side.
He joined United in January 2026, and is departing to reunite with former colleague and new Rovers boss Tony Mowbray.
READ MORE: Hearts defender joins Oxford United as first summer signing
Dodds joined United alongside Matt Bloomfield, who was dismissed by the club earlier this month almost two moths after failing to keep the club in the Championship.
The assistant coach was first rumoured to be heading to Blackburn Rovers earlier this month, a move which has now been confirmed by Oxford.
A spokesperson for the club said: “We would like to thank Mike for his hard work and dedication and wish him well for the future.
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“An update on Aaron Ramsey’s backroom staff ahead of the 2026/27 season will be announced shortly.”
The 40-year-old was previously in charge of Wycombe Wanderers seven months in his head coach role to date as he was sacked in September 2025.
He was previously a coach at Sunderland for four years and Birmingham City before that where he was credited as having a positive impact on the development of Real Madrid and England star Jude Bellingham.
The League One home fixture against Reading, originally scheduled to take place on Saturday, August 29, has been postponed to September.
This is due to a request from Thames Valley Police ‘due to a number of significant events already taking place during that Bank Holiday weekend’.
READ MORE: Hearts defender joins Oxford United as first summer signing
The new date for the match is Tuesday, September 8, with a 7.45pm kick-off at the Kassam Stadium.
Oxford United said that should either of the clubs progress to round three of the Carabao Cup, the fixture would instead be played on Tuesday, September 15.
A spokesperson for Oxford United said: “We appreciate the understanding of supporters affected by this change and will provide any further updates, including ticket information, in due course.”
Experienced defender Frankie Kent joins Oxford United with 13 years of league football behind him, and more than 400 appearances across Colchester United, Peterborough United and recently in Scotland with Heart of Midlothian.
The 30-year-old is a commanding and physical centre-back who proved himself as a League One pedigree when he won promotion with Peterborough in 2021.
READ MORE: Oxford United to play Leyton Orient in Carabao Cup
Meanwhile last season, Kent helped Hearts secure a second-place finish in the Scottish Premiership.
Speaking about joining United, he said: “This is a very exciting move for me to be joining a club with a clear ambition for success.
“I’ve had very positive conversations with people at the club, and I am confident I can use my experience to drive standards, not just on the pitch but off it as well.
“I understand the demands of this league, and I return to England a much better player and leader following three fantastic years in Scotland.
“I’ve come here to help push this club forward, and I’ll do everything I can every day to help us improve and achieve our ambitions.”
Newly appointed head coach Aaron Ramsey said he’s ‘delighted’ with the first signing under his leadership.
READ MORE: Ex-Arsenal Ramsey and Wilshere to battle in League One
Mr Ramsey said: “I had very positive conversations with the club before arriving about the business we wanted to complete this summer, and I’m delighted we’ve moved quickly to bring in a player of Frankie’s quality and character.
“As a player, Frankie is a dominant, aggressive defender who is comfortable in possession, and his profile fits exactly how we want this team to play.
“As importantly, Frankie embodies the values we want to hold throughout the football club.
“He’s someone who will raise the standards and push to help create the elite environment we strive for.
“As a first signing, it’s a real statement for us. We’re bringing in someone who can make an immediate impact both on the pitch and within the group.”
Head of football operations Ed Waldron last week said himself, the new head coach and the club are ‘aligned on what we think the squad needs’, saying they’re ready to ‘get deals done’.
Following the signing announcement, Mr Waldron added: “Frankie is a player we’ve admired for a long time, dating back to his time at Colchester when he regularly came up against Oxford United.
“Scotland is a market we monitor closely and, throughout his time at Hearts, Frankie has consistently been one of the league’s standout defenders.
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“Our recruitment process combines detailed data analysis with extensive live scouting, and Frankie stood out in every aspect.
“Equally importantly, our background work highlighted the qualities he brings away from the pitch.
“He’s a strong personality, a natural leader and exactly the type of character we want in the building, so we’re delighted to welcome him to Oxford United.”
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