Oxford United held to goalless draw against Eastleigh

The clash was light on clear chances, however both Mark Harris and Tyler Goodrham were denied from promising positions in the first half.

Four players kept their place from the side which started the 3-1 win against Southampton B on Saturday as James Beadle, Sam Long, Jordan Thorniley and Cameron Brannagan retained starting berths.

A strong line-up also included summer signings Ruben Rodrigues and Harris, plus trialist Marley Watkins.

United came out the traps quickly in the first half with Harris denied by goalkeeper Joe McDonnell after three minutes when he got in behind the home defence.

From the resulting corner, Thorniley saw a hooked effort blocked behind for another set piece which the U’s failed to capitalise on.

At the other end, the home side pressed high up the pitch and were rewarded by winning the ball on the edge of the United penalty area.

Charlie Carter bent his 20-yard effort comfortably wide though.

A lull in play for the middle of the opening period followed, before Oscar Rutherford almost caught Beadle out at his near post just after the half hour mark.

Rutherford’s clever ball from the right-hand side was aimed towards the woodwork, with Beadle forced to concede a corner which Sam Long headed clear.

Thorniley then showed his defensive capabilities when he stuck out a leg to thwart a through ball reaching Aidan Barlow.

The Spitfires at this point were the team on top, as Solomon Nwabuokei tested Beadle with a stinging effort and Paul McCallum won a corner after great work from Rutherford down the right.

Arguably the biggest chance of the half fell to Goodrham with 38 minutes on the clock.

Rodrigues played a smart ball through to the teenager, however he was denied when one-on-one with McDonnell.

A couple of minutes later, a fantastic cross from Long narrowly evaded the head of Harris in the six-yard box.

As half-time approached, Barlow saw a right-footed strike from 25 yards sail comfortably wide, with a similar effort from Brannagan deflected over the crossbar by Jake Taylor.

United were given two bites of the cherry from a couple of resulting corners, but didn’t make it count as the first half drew to a close.

Billy Bodin replaced Harris at the interval in a direct change as the former Preston North End man went straight up front.

The hosts continued to impress themselves on the game, with Ciaron Brown required to sweep up as Barlow looked to find a gap in the U’s backline early in the second period.

Nwabuokei then watched the ball drop out the sky, before sending a right-footed strike narrowly wide of Beadle’s left-hand post.

Just after the hour mark, the U’s came the closest to an opener when Brannagan slammed a 20-yard free kick against the crossbar, given after Goodrham was tripped as he looked to pull the trigger.

Goodrham was then cautioned by the referee as Eastleigh launched a rapid counter-attack.

With just under 20 minutes to go, Manning looked his youthful bench and introduced George Franklin and Aidan Elliott-Wheeler in place of Long and Rodrigues.

Brown then left the field after picking up a knock off the ball, with Rashane Maxwell coming on in his place, while Zaide Took-Oxley replaced Brannagan shortly afterwards.

The closing stages were then played at a slower pace as both sides took their foot off the gas, although Bodin tested McDonnell with an arrowed effort from centre of the box.

Eastleigh: McDonnell, Clampin (Trialist F 81), Martin (Bragg 81), Carter (Trialist C 46), Taylor, McCallum (Hodson 71), Barlow (Tshaka 85), Boldewijn (Chalwell 85), Langston, Nwabuokei, Rutherford.

Unused subs: Scott, Atangana, Simpson, Yang, Stock.

Booked: None.

Oxford United (4-2-3-1): Beadle; Long (Franklin 71), Moore, Thorniley, Brown (Maxwell 79); Brannagan (Took-Oxley 81), Smyth; Watkins, Rodrigues (Elliott-Wheeler 71), Goodrham; Harris (Bodin 46).

Unused subs: Lacey, Bradney, Brearey.

Booked: Goodrham.

Attendance: TBC (TBC away)