After a 5 week build-up, City’s season finally got underway with a difficult looking trip to Oxford, a team who were in contention for a Play-Off spot right up until the final game of last season.

Gary Roberts’ men had to start without Tom Pepper who was ruled out after suffering an injury in the pre-season game at Royston. On the positive, Lee Chaffey started after missing some of pre-season through injury and Scott Neilson was in the line-up, with the lilywhites star performer still receiving interest from league clubs. On the bench for City was new signings Pat Bexfield and Louis Stewart.

With the game underway on a warm August afternoon at Court Place Farm, it was City who made the liveliest start and after just 5 minutes the visitors won a corner, which Ashley Fuller crossed for Steve Gentle to head on, but failed to really test Richard Knight in the Oxford goal.

As predicted, Scott Neilson was already stamping his authority on the game with some impressive runs, and it was the same player who was involved in the next goalmouth action for City. This time Matt Day was beaten by the bounce which let Steve Gentle in. The former Bedford player laid the ball back to Neilson who jinked past 1 defender before shooting, but his shot was blocked by Andy Baird.

Oxford were struggling to get a foothold on the game, but after 25 minutes they almost caught City on the break, and the visitors were grateful to Lee Chaffey for a brilliant timed tackle on Lee Steele to prevent a potential chance for the home side.

Three minutes later and the impressive Fuller tested Knight with a shot that the Oxford keeper comfortably pushed away.

City were by now looking the more settled and it was two minutes later when they produced the best move of the half. Matt Haniver slipped the ball to Neilson on the half way line, his dummy took him past his marker before threading the ball through to Gentle, whose resulting shot was pushed around the post by Knight.

From the resulting corner, Adie Cambridge swung in an excellent delivery and Dave Theobald rose at the near post to head home the opening goal of City’s campaign.

City went into the break in front and the second half started at a gentle pace, but Oxford then made a couple of substitutions when Lee Steele was replaced by Andy Gunn and Andy Baird being moved to a forward role. This almost provided rewards when he cracked a shot just past Barrett’s left hand post.

But shortly after, City had another chance, this time on the breakaway. It was Neilson who got hold of the ball for the visitors, and he unleashed a 25 yard drive just wide of the post.

On the hour mark, James Krause and Ashley Fuller produced good link-up play which resulted in Krause shooting wide from 6 yards out.

With City in the hunt for a second, it was the impressive Neil Midgley who had a great chance on 63 minutes when he controlled a pass from Neilson, and the City front man swivelled and shot well, but Knight turned the shot round the post.

It was Midgley who was in the thick of it again as 6 minutes later he received the ball after good work from Fuller, but unfortunately shot just wide of the post.

Although City were looking comfortable, there was always a feeling that Oxford could hurt them for not taking their chances, and on 75 minutes they were grateful to Zac Barrett for saving at full stretch and turning a drive away from Brooks.

However, on 82 minutes City sub Craig Radcliffe intercepted a ball just outside his own penalty area and ran to the edge of the Oxford box before delivering an excellent cross that found Gentle who thundered a volley just over the bar.

The home side still kept coming at City though in the hunt for an elusive equaliser and seven minutes from the end Barrett was once again called on to produce another diving save from Mark Bell.

Two minutes from the end hearts were in the mouths of the sizeable following of City fans as Baird rose above the City defence and thundered a header that hit the underside of the crossbar and thankfully bounced back into the arms of Barrett.

But that was the best chance Oxford had and City managed to close the game out and secure an opening day win against a decent Oxford side. City played with great spirit and belief and, if repeated, augurs well for months that lie ahead.