Oxford united FC
Oxford United beat Stevenage 2-1 to secure first Aaron Ramsey win
A well-fought victory was secured by Gatlin O’Donkor and Cameron Brannagan in the second half.
The former nodded home after 67 minutes to bring joy to the travelling Yellows supporters before O’Donkor then won a penalty which Brannagan tucked home sweetly.
Boro did manage a last-minute consolation goal through Jordan Roberts but it was Oxford who came away victorious.
There was a slight worry after just eight minutes as first-choice goalkeeper Jamie Cumming was forced off with injury, veteran goalkeeper Simon Eastwood replacing him.
The win sees Oxford unbeaten in their first two league games and brings a first competitive victory for former Arsenal midfielder Ramsey early in his U’s tenure.
Another physical encounter awaited the U’s, Lewis Freestone heading over straight away for Boro.
Ciaron Brown got in the way of another early shot, this time from Josh Magennis, before Cumming came off, Eastwood entering the action.
A couple of efforts from Dan Kemp went wayward before a chance finally comes to United, Siriki Dembele’s shot from range deflecting wide.
Louie Sibley forced the first save as the sides battled away.
The midfielder rescued the U’s not long after, sliding in to hook the ball away off the line as Boro threatened.
Carl Piergianni went very close for the hosts, nodding a ball just wide with pace.
Peter Kioso found the final shot of the half, Filip Marschall saving his shot after a one-two with Aidomo Emakhu.
READ MORE: Oxford United player ratings vs Stevenage: O’Donkor makes mark as U’s show steel
READ MORE: Stevenage 1-2 Oxford United – League One recap
A big chance fell early in the second period, Sibley shooting over disappointingly from inside the box.
Stevenage hit back, Eastwood preventing Magennis from scoring before Kemp volleyed just wide.
Pierganni headed wide again for Boro before Cameron Brannagan forced a good save from Marschall with a vicious free kick from close range.
Saxon Earley hit a sweet volley just over the bar before the visitors made their mark.
A duo of inspired substitutions from Ramsey saw Stan Mills swing a sweet ball to Gatlin O’Donkor who headed low into the net to give Oxford the lead.
Boro tried to hit back, but it was United who scored next, Marschall bringing down O’Donkor to give away a penalty which captain Brannagan tucked home neatly.
Stevenage managed to get one back through a last-minute Roberts strike, but the win was secured seconds later as full time blew.
Stevenage: Marschall, Piergianni, Freestone, Phillips (Roberts 80), Magennis, Kemp, Earley (Patterson 72), Vancooten, Pattenden (Houghton 33), Reid (Sanderson 80), Thompson (Taylor 72)
Oxford: Cumming (Eastwood 8), Kioso, Helik, Brown, Currie (Spencer 88), Brannagan, McDonnell, Emakhu, Sibley (O’Donkor 64), Dembele (Mills 64), Harris (Goodrham 88)
Bookings: Freestone; Helik, Brannagan, Harris, Mills
The summer-long saga has felt more like a decade and surely head coach Aaron Ramsey has felt the same after enduring the ritual of being asked about Mills’ status on a weekly basis.
After missing the U’s first pre-season friendly, the winger scored in the second, a 2-1 win over Barnet, and featured in the following couple.
He then missed out in the first competitive game of the season, a 2-0 Carabao Cup defeat at Leyton Orient, before a move to PNE was confirmed by Ramsey ahead of the League One opening day, but not until January.
Mills messaged his boss requesting not to play in the 2-2 opening day home draw with MK Dons before coming off the bench to assist Gatlin O’Donkor in the Yellows’ 2-1 win at Stevenage.
That would prove to be the 22-year-old’s final display in a United shirt, the young attacker showing little enthusiasm upon Oxford taking the lead in Hertfordshire, hinting that his head had certainly been turned.
“I’ve known about it all summer and from the start I’ve wanted to be here, wanted to get going as a Preston player and now it is official.”
Mills’ first words as a Lilywhites player say it all.
Considering the former Everton man has never scored more than three goals in a senior season, my personal opinion was that a January move would be ideal for all parties.
In an ideal world, Oxford would keep a star player for six months, Mills could get his numbers up as a standout player in a weaker league and PNE would get an in-form winger through the doors in the new year.
READ MORE: Ramsey says Mills departure ‘best solution’ for Oxford United
READ MORE: Ex-Oxford United goalkeeper Jacob Knightbridge joins Tottenham Hotspur
But patience is a rare virtue in football these days and off goes the winger to Lancashire.
So, what now for United?
The U’s are without a recognised right-sided midfielder – young Aidan Elliott-Wheeler could be considered – and remain under a temporary transfer embargo.
Aidomo Emakhu has played on the right so far this season and has offered some outlet but he does look much more comfortable in his more natural position on the right.
Then there is 17-year-old Mo Missanga, a youngster who helped change the tide on the opening day against MK Dons and who has excited supporters and the U’s boss alike.
Ramsey has hinted that the Yellows are searching for solutions, and it is understood that a loan transfer where Oxford do not pay any share of the player’s wages could be a way of bringing a player in before Tuesday’s deadline.
Given the circumstances, it will be difficult to replace the ability of Mills but there is certainly a sense of relief that this saga is over.
Now it is time to focus on the football and maintain a strong league position heading into January.
Oxford United have signed Wales international Kai Andrews on loan from Premier League side Coventry City until January.
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Oxford United head coach Aaron Ramsey has insisted that Stanley Mills’ departure for Preston North End was ‘the best decision’.
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