Oxford United beaten 2-0 by Saints in first St Mary’s visit

Early goals from Cyle Larin and Shea Charles were all that was needed to send Matt Bloomfield’s men home empty handed.

Striker Will Lankshear’s bad miss saw Oxford’s best chance at getting back into the game go begging in the second period with Saints almost finding a third when Tom Fellows struck the crossbar not long after.

The U’s got off to a poor start on the south coast, conceding the opener after just six minutes.

Oxford United’s Myles Peart-Harris runs with the ball against Southampton’s Cameron Archer (Image: Oxford United)

A defence-splitting ball from Taylor Harwood-Bellis found Fellows who put it on a plate for Larin to stretch and poke home from close range.

Saints doubled their lead seven minutes later when a short corner was played all the way back to Charles who curled the ball into the top right corner from about 35 yards out.

The hosts remained with the majority of the ball and again looked for Larin, this time a low cross being met first by Jamie Cumming.

Oxford United’s Yunus Konak runs alongside Southampton’s Cyle Larin (Image: Oxford United)

A header from Ryan Manning was cleared by Michal Helik, whilst the Yellows struggled to create when in possession.

Yunus Konak had a volley at goal fly over the bar from the edge of the area, with their best passage of play coming at the culmination of the half, Myles Peart-Harris unable to acrobatically finish.

Tonda Eckert’s men had an early effort in the second half when Manning pulled the ball back for Finn Azaz who placed the ball towards goal, Ciaron Brown booting clear.

Oxford United’s Sam Long carries the ball away from Southampton’s Samuel Edozie (Image: Oxford United)

Oxford then finally found some sustained pressure, Stan Mills having a penalty shout waved away after going down under a challenge from Flynn Downes.

Shouts for handball followed as Mills again twisted and turned in the box, before a trio of shots, two from Cameron Brannagan and one from Lankshear, were all blocked.

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Azaz and Manning had efforts denied for Saints before Lankshear squandered an enormous chance to score after intercepting Harwood-Bellis’ pass and having only the goalkeeper to beat but sliding the ball wide of the bottom right corner.

The hosts then missed their own big chance, Cumming saving a Ross Stewart shot down low before Fellows struck the crossbar with the follow-up from close range.

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More chances followed for Saints, Fellows’ low effort denied and Stewart heading over before Cumming punched a James Bree free kick clear.

The Yellows substitutes failed to make a late impact as Southampton extended their unbeaten run to 14 games.

Southampton: Peretz, Bree, Harwood-Bellis, Stephens, Manning (Quarshie 91), Downes, Fellows (Matsuki 77), Azaz (Oyekunle 91), Charles, Archer (Edozie 59), Larin (Stewart 59)

Oxford: Cumming, Spencer, Long, Helik, Brown, Currie (Donley 70), Brannagan, Konak (McDonnell 70), Mills (Emakhu 88), Lankshear (Harris 77), Peart-Harris (Jin-woo 77)

Bookings: Mills, Spencer, Helik