Oxford united FC
Oxford United beat Aldershot 3-1 in Aaron Ramsey debut
Strikes from Aidomo Emakhu, Gatlin O’Donkor and Jeon Jin-woo secured the comeback after the hosts opened the scoring.
New head coach Ramsey was ever-present on the touchline as he looked to stamp his mark on his Oxford team.
Some teething issues hit the U’s early on as they conceded the first shot of the game, Hakeem Sandah sending a shot wide from just outside the box.
Oxford showed a new endeavour to play out from the back with short passes coming from Jamie Cumming in goal who was almost caught out.
Aldershot created a decent chance around 10 minutes in, Marcus Dinanga scuffing a first time effort as a low ball came his way.
A free kick conceded in Oxford’s half by Louie Sibley led to the first goal.
Dominic Odusanya saw a shot from distance blocked before John Gilbert put the ball back into the area. It was put across to Kiki Oshilaja who slotted into an open net with Cumming caught out.
Peter Kioso on the ball for Oxford United (Image: Oxford United)
United began to grow into the game after the opener, captain Cameron Brannagan putting a long shot wide.
A minute later, Emakhu levelled the score, taking a touch and firing home a low ball in from Ruben Roosken, Jamie McDonnell doing brilliantly to initially win the ball high up the pitch.
Just moments later Oxford took the lead. A mix up with the Shots keeper caused by a Cumming punt forward was capitalised on by O’Donkor who slid the ball into the open net.
A weak flick from the 21-year-old striker into the keeper’s hands preceded a shot from Dinanga which took a nick off Peter Kioso and was comfortable for Cumming.
Tensions flared as the Shots put in some feisty challenges, O’Donkor reacting to one from Oshilaja before the referee intervened.
READ MORE: Aaron Ramsey opens up on Oxford United transfer ban & squad absences
READ MORE: Four former Oxford United players join PFA free agent camp
Oxford United wing back Ruben Roosken (Image: Oxford United)
Emakhu rippled the wrong side of the net early in the second period before all outfield players changed at the 62-minute mark.
The new Yellows began brightly, Mark Harris firing into Hayes’ grasp before Jeon Jin-woo aimed well over the crossbar.
Youngster Leo Snowden bent a fierce shot from range, forcing a save before Jin-woo had an effort parried at the near post.
The South Korean got his goal though, nicking the ball from a Shots defender at halfway before chipping the ball over the goalkeeper with aplomb.
He was unfortunately withdrawn through injury minutes later.
Aldershot: Hayes, Borgnis, Oshilaja, Odusanya, Gilbert, Dinanga, Tuma, Sandah, Stickland, Adom-Malaki, Oladunjoye
Oxford: Cumming (Eastwood 46), Kioso (Spencer 62), Helik (Golding 62), Long (Brown 62), Leigh (Currie 62), Brannagan (Vaulks 62), McDonnell (Goodrham 62), Roosken (Elliott-Wheeler 62), Sibley (Jin-woo 62, Bradney 80)), Emakhu (Snowden 62), O’Donkor (Harris 62)
Oxford united FC
LIVE: Aldershot Town 1-2 Oxford United – O'Donkor nets to complete U's comeback
All the action live as Oxford United travel to Aldershot Town for their first pre-season friendly under Aaron Ramsey ahead of the 2026/27 League One season.
Source link
Oxford united FC
LIVE: Aldershot Town vs Oxford United – First pre-season friendly 2026/27
All the action live as Oxford United travel to Aldershot Town for their first pre-season friendly under Aaron Ramsey ahead of the 2026/27 League One season.
Source link
Oxford united FC
Oxford United to kick off pre-season with Aldershot clash
The trip to Aldershot marks United’s opening friendly of the summer schedule, giving Aaron Ramsey his first chance to see his squad in match action since returning from a warm-weather training camp in Spain.
It also offers an opportunity for players and staff to build on the connections Ramsey has stressed will be “really important” on and off the pitch going into the new campaign.
Ramsey, who replaced Matt Bloomfield almost a month ago, has spent the week in Spain embedding his ideas and forging relationships with his new dressing room.
He has spoken of using this period to strengthen links between staff, players and supporters, describing pre-season as a “great opportunity” to lay foundations for the season ahead.
Tonight’s match will also give Oxford fans an early look at Ramsey’s reshaped backroom staff, led by assistant head coach Chris Gunter, the former Wales international right-back.
Gunter is joined by Tom Hutton, previously Cardiff City Under-18s lead coach, as the pair assist Ramsey in navigating a challenging start to his tenure.
Despite the fresh energy around the club, Oxford’s pre-season has already been tested by off-field issues and injury setbacks.
The U’s have been hit with a transfer embargo after failing to meet League One’s Salary Cost Management Protocol, although the club insists it will be in a strong position by the time the January window opens.
On the pitch, Ramsey is already without his sole summer signing, former Hearts defender Frankie Kent, who suffered a serious knee injury in training just weeks after arriving.
Kent, 30, has undergone surgery on an ACL injury and is expected to miss most of the season, with Ramsey admitting he is “gutted” by the setback as the club wish the centre-back a full and speedy recovery.
-
Oxford News4 weeks agoJune heatwave would be ‘virtually impossible’ in 1976
-
Oxford Events4 weeks agoStage Watch: ‘I think we need much more laughter in the world’ says John Cleese
-
Business & Technology6 days agoHSBC UK & Visa test AI shopping with live payments
-
Business & Technology6 days agoValarian lands USD $50 million backing for sovereign AI
-
Oxford Events4 weeks agoStage Watch: Lord of the Dance celebrating 30 years with spectacular return to Oxford
-
Oxford Events3 weeks agoWhat’s on in Oxford & Oxfordshire this July
-
Oxford Events3 weeks agoOxford’s traffic filters questions answered
-
Oxford News2 weeks agoNew romantasy bookshop attracts queues of customers
