OXFORD City were beaten 3-0 by Vanarama National League side Sutton United in a pre-season clash at Court Place Farm.
The visitors started brightly, as Dillon De Silva flashed a shot just wide inside the first three minutes.
The South London outfit took the lead just a minute later though, as Siju Odelusi poked the ball across the line after a goalmouth scramble.
The Hoops looked for an immediate response, with Lewis Coyle’s 20-yard volley almost catching Sutton goalkeeper Matt Kerbey off guard, as he parried the shot wide of the post.
READ ALSO: Oxford Olympian getting set for her first Games
Sutton came close to doubling their advantage when a trialist midfielder flicked a header narrowly wide from close range.
At the other end, Bradley Stretton’s free kick from just outside the penalty area drifted inches over the crossbar, as the Hoops entered the break a goal down.
Seven minutes into the second period, Sutton doubled their lead when Will Davies was on hand to shrug off his marker and stab the ball into the roof of the net.
Eduino Vaz added Sutton’s third when his driving run from left back opened up space for a cross, which looped over City goalkeeper Kai McKenzie-Lyle and into the far corner of the net.
Hoops manager Sam Cox told the club’s YouTube channel: “It’s probably the first time in pre-season where we’ve come off the pitch feeling like the performance could’ve been a lot better.
“My biggest disappointment was that we probably lost a bit of our identity.
“We’ve got to be better physically and technically, and we’ve got to be more competent all across the park.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here