Oxford United lose to Leyton Orient in Aaron Ramsey competitive debut

The Yellows conceded a late duo of goals scored by Demetri Mitchell and Idris El Mizouni to bow out of the competition against their League One opponents.

It was a well-contested match at Brisbane Road until late on, the two strikes providing a disappointing end to former Arsenal midfielder Ramsey’s first taste of competitive management with the U’s.

United began brightly, Aidomo Emakhu immediately working space in the box to cross but could only find Nathan Baxter’s grasp.

The winger got beyond his man soon after and put another ball in looking for Siriki Dembele who was beaten to it by former Yellows loanee Fin Stevens.

Dembele was bright in the first period, winning a free kick which Cameron Brannagan sent just over the crossbar.

Ciaron Brown headed at corner at the keeper before the hosts found some momentum.

Aaron Ramsey on Brian De Keersmaecker extended absence from the Oxford United squad:

“Him and Stan were training back home and hopefully they can both join the group.

“They are two different cases where Brian hasn’t played any minutes. Stan has.

“Hopefully now next week…

— malachi (@MalachiObrey) August 8, 2026

Efforts from Isaac Hayden and Yusuf Akhamrich failed to bother Jamie Cumming, but a good cross from Somto Boniface was turned just wide by the arriving Zech Obiero.

Oxford were forced to be patient as the O’s restricted their passing lanes, eventually seeing a shot from Dembele fly over from outside the box.

A blocked effort from Boniface saw out a tightly contested first half.

Again, the U’s started brightly, Dembele and Brannagan combining well but Harris could not turn the captain’s cross goalward.

Boniface and El Mizouni fired off target for the O’s before Emakhu saw a powerful shot saved by Baxter.

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Some space opened up on the front foot for Oxford through Emakhu and Harris, but both opted for the wrong options with the former failing to pick out the latter before the Welshman decided not to shoot in a good area.

The hosts, with the home advantage, began to fashion some late pressure.

The opener came with five minutes left on the clock, Mitchell improvising well to turn the ball in from a good cross.

A quickfire second saw the O’s secure the win, El Mizouni sliding the ball past Cumming from a low cross into the area.

Aaron Ramsey says Stan Mills has trained on his own the last few days:

“It was a medical decision for him to train over the last few days on his own to be able to re-join the group next week”#oufc

— malachi (@MalachiObrey) August 8, 2026

The last-minute strikes saw Oxford bow out of the cup in the first round, with the League One opening day at home to MK Dons on the horizon.

Orient: Baxter, Stevens, Olowu, El Mizouni, Hayden, Dobra (Mitchell 70), Boniface (Morris 77), Akhamrich (Springett 70), Obiero (Wellens 83), Chinedu, Archibald (Kabia 70)

Oxford: Cumming, Spencer (Kioso 86), Long, Brown, Currie, McDonnell (Sibley 73), Brannagan, Emakhu, Goodrham (Elliott-Wheeler 73), Dembele (O’Donkor 62), Harris (Snowden 86)

Bookings: Stevens; Emakhu