Witney's management came up with a new South American-style formation of 3-4-2-1 for their friendly match against Banbury 2nd. And it seemed to work, with a fine blend of youth and experience helping Witney to emerge 3-2 winners.
Graham Matthews capped a fine performance with two goals for Witney.
The first was a fine short-corner drag flick past the Banbury defence, into the corner.
Banbury then showed off a unique short corner routine, with Tom Instone smashing one in.
O'Connor then put the visitors 2-1 up, but Andy Willemite deflected the ball over his own head, then over the prone Banbury keeper into the empty goal to make it level again.
Witney's winning goal saw Matthews beat his marker for pace and skill, deftly lift the ball over his stick, and strike the ball with venom into the roof of the net on the half volley.
Oxford Hawks produced a performance of promise in winning 5-3 at Ashford in a friendly.
Ashford took an early lead on the sandy pitch as Hawks needed time to adjust to the slow surface and a new formation.
Hawks then started to profit from the incisive running of their three new strikers, Freddie Coppin, Gareth Playfair and Rupert da Silva and the classy Playfair slotted a terrific individual goal.
In the last 15 minutes Hawks, having three times come from behind, ran away with it as Playfair completed an excellent hat-trick and Copping bagged a brace.
Oxford Hawks 2nd had four different goalscorers as they beat Bicester 4-0. Sam Chilvers, George Meagher, Andy Clark and Charlie Bennett all found the net.
City of Oxford tried out several Brookes University lads in their pracctice game, which they lost, against Cirencester.
Other scores: Banbury 3rd 4 (T Page 2, P Bates, J Townsend), Witney 2nd 2 (T Allinson 2); Bicester 3rd 3 (E Hull 2, L Collett), Oxford Hawks 3rd 3; Woking Pitts The Yongers 7, Oxford Hawks Falcons 0; Witney Wayfarers 5, Banbury 0; Witney 5th 7, Banbury 5.
Oxon Under 16 League: Oxford Hawks 7 (M Biggs 2, K Lavis 2, J Hicks 2, T Blong), Rover Oxford 3; Banbury 2 (S Bolton 2), City of Oxford 1 (A Vann).
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 The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.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