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.

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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He was unfortunately withdrawn through injury minutes later.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)