Constable off to a flier

12:02am Wednesday 9th July 2008

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Oxford City 0, Oxford United 1 (Constable 36)

Oxford United's new striker James Constable scored the winner on his debut as they started their pre-season campaign with a hard-fought win at Court Place Farm last night.

The pacy forward, who signed yesterday on loan from Shrewsbury, showed his predatory instincts when he fired home a cross from fellow new boy Lewis Haldane in the first half.

Early on, United were grateful to Haldane who cleared a shot from former U's youngster Ben Weedon off the line.

At the other end, defender Luke Foster latched onto a good ball from Phil Trainer, only to fire wide of Gareth Tucker's goal.

Yemi Odubade was unlucky not to open United's account, but his shot rebounded off the inside of the right-hand post with Tucker rooted to his line.

Former United defender Andy Gunn denied Constable with a brilliant challenge.

Minutes later, City winger Michael Lyon hit the side-netting after Andy Baird fired a low shot across the area after he had turned his man brilliantly.

They were to rue that miss when Haldane's right-wing cross found Constable, who hammered home at Tucker's near post after jinking his way through City's defence.

After the break, in which United fielded an entirely different side, ex-Plymouth triallist Reuben Reid and youth player Sam Deering caught the eye.

For City, Yashwa Romeo looked lively up front.

George Redknap went close when he fastened onto Romeo's pass, only for Aaron Plummer to race off his line to deny him.

United's out-of-favour midfielder Eddie Hutchinson was given a run out and he put on a decent show.

Deering then saw his ambitious shot curl just over the bar, as United tried to double their lead.

United triallist Michael Gash almost got a second, before Tucker made an impressive save from the elusive Deering, who was on-loan at Abingdon United last season.

Centre back Matt Day saw his long-range effort well held by Tucker as United finished the stronger in what proved a useful run out for both sides.

Oxford City: Tucker, Young (C Weedon 60), B Weedon (Davis 45), Gunn (Saulsbury 45), Pond (Redknap 45), Allaway (Gunn 62), Gardner (Romeo 45), Malone (Pond 72), Baird (Stewart 45), Draycott, Lyon (Roper 62).

Oxford Utd: Hinchcliffe (Plummer 45), Silk (Sampson 45), Carruthers (J Clarke 45), Murray (Davies 45), Willmott (Bennett 45), Foster (Day 45), Burnell (Hutchinson 45), Haldane (Oliver 45), Trainer (Deering 45), Odubade (R Reuben 45), Constable (Gash 45).

Attendance: 853.