The Hoops trailed in the first half, but a free-kick on the stroke of half-time from Josh Ashby, and then goals from Klaidi Lolos and Lewis Coyle helped City to an eighth straight victory against the Crusaders in the National League South.

Ross Jenkins opted to make no outfield changes to the side that beat Weymouth last weekend, but there was one change in goal as new Nottingham Forest loanee Adnan Karunic replaced Ben Dudzinski for his City debut.

City started very much on the front foot, with the home defence struggling to cope with City’s passing game.

Josh Parker had both of the game’s early efforts, with a dipping volley after just a couple of minutes that cleared the crossbar, before forcing a fine save from Jed Ward with his shot that was destined for the bottom corner.

However, City’s debutant keeper, Kanuric also looked assured in his first outing – confidently punching away a dangerous cross into the box, before being equal to a David Bremang header.

Bremang – also making his debut – looked to be the biggest threat for the hosts, he broke free a couple of times early, but his efforts were weak and easily dealt with my Kanuric.

Klaidi Lolos was introduced as an early sub as Alfie Potter went down with an injury, and quickly forced Ward into a save as he looked to find the far post with an effort from wide.



But it would be the hosts who took the lead just after the half-hour. It would be Bremang the man who scored, as he was played through one-on-one with Kanuric, before confidently slotting into the net.

The Hoops responded well, and might have had a penalty right on half-time as Lolos seemed to be elbowed by Matt Berry-Hargreaves. The referee waved away the appeals, but awarded a City free-kick in the aftermath after Zac McEachran rode several challenges on his way into the box.

The potential penalty was certainly forgotten about as Ashby stood up and delivered a pin-point free-kick into the top corner of the net, leaving Ward with no chance.

Half-Time: Hungerford Town 1-1 Oxford City

Following the interval, the Hoops set about taking control of the game, with George Smith and Kyle Bailey booked early on for stopping two City counter attacks.

The turnaround was complete for City 20 minutes into the second-period. After Ward pushed an Ashby free-kick that was drifting wide behind for a corner, the set-piece was headed towards the back post by Lewis Miccio, with Lolos the grateful recipient to simply nod into the net.

City were then somewhat gifted a third a few minutes after when AJ Harris-Seeley gifted the ball to Lewis Coyle, who then exchanged passes with Josh Parker, and seemingly lost the chance when a heavy touch took it towards the keeper. However, it ricocheted off the keeper’s calf and into Coyle’s path who had a simple tap-in to the open net.

Having only been introduced ten minutes earlier, Harris-Seeley’s Hungerford debut then got worse as he was shown a straight red card for a dangerous challenge that saw a high boot into Ashby’s face.

With Hungerford’s threat all but extinguished, the Hoops were able to see the clock down, but had one more chance as McEachran tried to cut back for Ashby who was under too much pressure from the home defence.

City return to the RAW Charging Stadium next Saturday as they look to avenge their 5-0 defeat against Welling United from earlier in the season. 

Attendance: 420

Oxford City Starting XI: Kanuric, Miccio, Ashby, Burley,Coyle, Fleet (c), McEachran, Parker,Potter, Williams-Bushell, Carroll.

Subs not used: Iaciofano, Carbon, Dudzinski Humphrey-Ewers