4.53pm Saturday: Robins suffer first friendly defeat at Oxford
By Jon Palmer
Cheltenham Town suffered their first friendly defeat of the summer at Oxford United, going down to Jamie Guy’s first half brace.
With neither Shane Duff (thigh) nor midfielder Scott Brown (bruised leg) risked, Cheltenham’s squad looked woefully short of strength in depth with the start of the new campaign fast approaching.
It was a disappointing display from Keith Downing’s men and the Robins boss has less than a week to bring in the reinforcements that are so desperately needed before the new League One season kicks off.
Cheltenham made a sluggish start against their Blue Square Premier opponents, who threatened immediately.
Guy dribbled past several half-hearted challenges from Robins defenders and only a last ditch intervention from Michael Townsend prevented Oxford from taking the lead inside a minute.
Former Bristol Rovers winger Lewis Haldane forced Shane Higgs into action with an awkward shot that bounced just in front of the goalkeeper after 10 minutes.
Trialist Richard Langley fired a shot over the bar as Cheltenham gradually began to come to life in what is likely to be the first team’s final warm-up match before next week’s curtain raiser at Northampton Town.
Former QPR, Cardiff City and Luton Town midfielder Langley showed some useful touches, but Cheltenham’s approach play lacked imagination and they were made to look very predictable in the final third.
One of their few chances arrived in the 22nd minute when Alex Russell fed Andy Lindegaard on the left and his cross was headed wide by Paul Connor, who should have scored.
Home skipper Adam Murray opened Cheltenham up in the 25th minute, releasing Haldane and he shot straight at Higgs, who parried and Haldane’s second attempt flew over.
But Oxford took a 39th minute lead when Murray set up Guy who beat Higgs with a confident finish into the bottom left corner.
Cheltenham levelled a minute before half-time when Russell’s corner was met at the far post by Townsend, who nodded the ball back into the danger area and Connor headed it over the line from point blank range.
Oxford regained their one-goal advantage during first half injury time when Guy picked up Haldane’s pass and all to easily turned and slotted a shot underneath Higgs’ body from eight yards out.
Home boss Darren Patterson made 10 changes at the break and forward Michael Husbands, who was on trial with Cheltenham earlier in the summer, was one of the players to join the action.
It was Husbands’ striker partner Yemi Odubade who caused Cheltenham the most problems, giving Andy Gallinagh some uncomfortable moments with his pace and trickery.
Higgs gathered a Husbands shot with ease and Odubade fired over the bar as Cheltenham continued to offer very little going forward.
It was not until scholar Marley Watkins was sent onto the right wing that some quality balls began to find their way into the danger area, but fellow youth teamer Dean Maynard failed to convert two decent chances.
Ian Sampson crashed a shot against a post in the final seconds for Oxford, who deserved their victory.
OXFORD UNITED (first half): B Hinchcliffe; J Clarke, B Quinn, L Foster, C Carruthers; L Reid, J Burnell, A Murray, L Haldane; J Constable, J Guy.
(second half): J Cole; L Reid (I Sampson 76), M Day, C Willmott, A Jeannin; D Andrade (R Groves 63), R Davies, E Hutchinson, S Deering; Y Obubade, M Husbands.
CHELTENHAM TOWN: S Higgs; J Gill (C Armstrong 66), M Townsend (A Wright 66), A Gallinagh, L Ridley; R Langley (J Emery 86), B Gill, A Russell (D Bird 56), A Lindegaard (D Maynard 75); P Connor (A Ledgister 75), A Vincent (M Watkins 75). Subs not used: S P A Brown.
REFEREE: J Farries.
ATTENDANCE: 1,174 (139 from Cheltenham)
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