Oxford United beat Premier League foes Ipswich in pre-season finale

The Yellows rounded out a perfect pre-season with a clean sheet and comfortable win over the Tractor Boys, Jack Currie and Stan Mills scoring the goals.

Aaron Ramsey’s blueprint was on display throughout, Oxford remaining calm, composed and positive in their play to secure a fourth win from four summer friendlies.

It was a bright start from the U’s as they applied early pressure onto Gary O’Neil’s side.

Jamie McDonnell had the first effort on goal, putting Currie’s low ball into the box wide of the mark under some pressure.

Brodie Spencer thwarted a potential threat at the other end with a sweet tackle on Kasey McAteer.

Oxford showed the fruits of Ramsey’s teachings across the afternoon, evading danger under pressure and creating their own at the other end of the pitch.

It was Ipswich who threatened again however, Jack Clarke forcing a save with a low shot straight at Jamie Cumming.

The Yellows then troubled the goalkeeper themselves, Currie finding Mills with a cross whose shot fell to Mark Harris, the striker shooting first time at Kayne van Oevelen in net.

Former Ajax and Arsenal striker Chuba Akpom went searching for a penalty after making a run into the box which the referee rightfully denied.

Ipswich had the final chance of the half with a blocked header following a corner before the whistle blew with the game goalless.

United were hit with a huge scare after the break, a cross deflecting off Sam Long and onto the crossbar with Wes Burns putting the follow-up into the side netting.

McAteer tried then to find the bottom corner but put his shot wide.

The tied soon turned however, Cameron Brannagan seeing an effort blocked before Goodrham saw his own shot deflected wide.

That pair each saw an effort fly just over the crossbar as Oxford then found the breakthrough.

Goodrham’s run into the box saw him pick out Currie in the centre who tapped into an open net.

Another Goodrham effort deflected and bounced wide before Brannagan had one blocked from a corner.

Mills doubled the lead moments later, pick-pocketing substitute goalkeeper David Button and slotting into another open goal.

Siriki Dembele found the goalkeeper’s arms as Oxford continued positively, Cumming tipping over a dipping Sindre Walle Egeli free kick afterwards.

Leo Snowden and Gatlin O’Donkor both saw shots in the box saved before Peter Kioso fired just wide to see the U’s to victory.

Oxford: Cumming, Spencer (Kioso 73), Long (Helik 77), Brown (Golding 77), Currie (Leigh 77), McDonnell (Bradney 73), Brannagan (Snowden 77), Mills (Elliott-Wheeler 73), Goodrham (Sibley 73), Emakhu (Dembele 66), Harris (O’Donkor 73)

Ipswich: Van Oevelen, Kipre, Burns, Walle Egeli, Johnson, McAteer, Ogbene, Akpom, Compton, Mthunzi, Clarke