Hoops start National League with defeat on the road.

Aldershot Town 5

Barham 13'

Mnoga 33'

Tolaj 45+8', 89'

Stokes 47'

Oxford City 2

Parker 27', 90+7

Oxford City were given a rude awakening to life in the National League, after a 5-2 defeat away at Aldershot Town.

Josh Parker grabbed City’s first ever goal in the National League, cancelling out Jack Barham’s opener.

However, the hosts capitalised on frailties in the Hoops backline to wrap up the three points just after the interval.

Josh Parker’s 97^th minute consolation softened the blow slightly after goals from Haji Mnoga, Josh Stokes, and Lorent Tolaj’s double blew the Hoops away.

SELECTION

Ross Jenkins picked a rather familiar looking City team to start.

Ten of the starting eleven played in last season’s promotion campaign from National League South.

Nya Kirby was handed his debut after signing terms with the club only yesterday, whereas other new recruits Pierre Fonkeu, Tafari Moore and Marcin Brzozowski made the bench.

First-Half

City had started brightly in the game, not deviating from their fundamentals that have brought the club so much success over the past two seasons.

Canice Caroll came close to an opener but his header, that looked to be creeping into the corner, was hooked away by the Shots' defence.

However, Ross Jenkins’ side quickly learnt that if you make mistakes at this level, then you’ll be punished.

Chris Haigh’s punched clearance left the goal gaping, and after Aaron Jones capitalised on a loose touch by Lewis Coyle, his cross was met by Jack Barham to slam home the opener.

Though, City weren’t to be dismayed. A mistake in the Shots backline saw Alfie Potter intercept the ball and drive into the box.

He kept his composure to round Goalkeeper Van Stappershoef and tee up Parker for a tap-in. City’s first goal in the fifth tier definitely wasn't a classic by any means, but at that point in the match was a fair reflection on balance.

After that, the Hoops looked to make their mark on the game, and debutant Nya Kirby almost put City ahead with a dipping shot from outside the area, that drifted just inches over the crossbar.

The tide turned though, and the scores didn’t stay level for long.

Just seven minutes later, the hosts regained their lead. City couldn’t clear their lines from a corner and Mnoga slammed the ball past Haigh to re-gain the lead from inside the box.

Moreover Haigh had to be at his best to deny Tolaj his first goal of the game, superbly tipping the forward's effort behind the post, whilst it propelled towards the top corner.

Though, Tolaj wasn’t to be denied his goal. Barham’s bursting run behind the City backline allowed him to tee up the striker for a tap-in to send the Hoops into the break 3-1 down.

Half-Time: Aldershot Town 3-1 Oxford City

Second-half

Any chances of an opening day result were soon quashed when Stokes added a fourth goal only two minutes after the interval.

The Hoops midfield had their pockets picked by Stuart O’Keefe and after sliding Barham in on goal; the forward squared the ball to Stokes to seal the victory with another tap-in.

It was five when Tolaj added his second goal in the 88^th minute. The striker firing past Haigh after a swift Shots counter-attack to add salt into City’s wounds.

Although, Ross Jenkins will take heart from some aspects of the City’s performance. One of those positives being that the team kept going to the very last.

Josh Parker added a consolation goal in the 97^th minute to make it 5-2, stabbing home from inside the box after good work on the right from Aaron Williams-Bushell.

A tough result to start to life in the fifth tier for City, but it’s a lesson learnt for Ross Jenkins’ men.

Next up, we return to OX3 to take on fellow newsboy’s Rochdale for what will be a very special occasion for the club.

You can join us. Click HERE to buy your tickets.

Match Details

Attendance: 2,676 (85 Away)

Oxford City Starting XI: 

Haigh, Burley, Ashby, Kirby (Humphrey-Ewers 76’), Harrison, Coyle, Fleet (C) , Parker, Potter (Fonkeu 62’), Williams-Bushell, Carroll

Subs not used: Brzozowski, Miccio, Moore

Aldershot Town Starting XI:

Van Stappershoef, Mnoga, Harfield, Harries, Widdrington (Frost 29'), O'Keefe (C) (Thomas 72'), Tolaj, Stokes (Willard 57'), Jones, Barham, Mullins