THE Oxford Mail player ratings after Oxford United slumped to a 2-0 defeat away against Cambridge United on the opening day of the Sky Bet League One season.
JAMES BEADLE
Has to clear the danger area when palming the ball in the build-up to the first goal. Made a good save late on to deny Sullay Kaikai – 4.5
SAM LONG
Was given a torrid time by the lively Saikou Janneh during a difficult first half – 4.5
ELLIOTT MOORE
Never quite had the upper hand in the battle with the robust striker Gassan Ahadme – 5
JORDAN THORNILEY
Looked for some of his trademark diagonals but they were dealt with by the home defence – 5
CIARON BROWN
Had ball stolen from him for the opener and then he was beaten in the air for the second goal – 4.5
JOSH MCEACHRAN
Showed little of the brilliant forward passing that was regularly on display during pre-season – 5
CAMERON BRANNAGAN
Had a few efforts from distance but never really troubled Jack Stevens – 5.5
TYLER GOODRHAM
On the periphery and couldn’t get involved. A tough day at the office for the youngster – 5
RUBEN RODRIGUES
Showed glimpses of his ability in the second half after a quiet first 45 minutes. BOOKED. MAN OF THE MATCH – 5.5
MARCUS BROWNE
Started the game brightly but faded once the hosts asserted themselves – 5.5
MARK HARRIS
No true sniff of goal aside from a run into the box, however he got his feet tied up at the key moment – 5
“I know we’re not the finished article and we’ve still got a long way to go, and that’s why we have to take the experience and the lesson, and make sure we don’t have it again.”
— Oxford Mail OUFC (@OxfordMailOUFC) August 5, 2023
Liam Manning hopes #oufc can use their opening day loss as a ‘wake-up call’https://t.co/pWJsklBO86 pic.twitter.com/v7mQ7ISX0B
SUBSTITUTES
Marcus McGuane (for McEachran, 61)
Failed to change the course of the game – 5
Stanley Mills (for Goodrham, 61)
A bright spark when he was introduced from the bench – 5.5
Billy Bodin (for Browne, 72)
Got himself into the box as U’s looked to finally threaten – 5
Gatlin O’Donkor (for Harris, 72)
Brought on to add much-needed physicality in the final third – 5
Fin Stevens (for Brown, 80)
Unused: Eastwood, Negru.
Substitutes who come on after the 75th minute do not get a rating.
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