Oxford City claimed their first win of the season against an in-form Needham Market side after an outstanding first half performance from the Hoops. 

A header from Josh Parker and a tap-in from Reece Fleet put the hosts ahead before the half hour mark. Zac McEachran scored an outstanding volley from 25 yards to put City out of sight. 

City took the lead from a wide free kick, whipped in by Josh Ashby. It was met by the unmarked head of Josh Parker. His glancing header left Marcus Graham stranded in the Needham goal. It was Parker’s second goal in as many games. 

The Hoops should have doubled their lead, when another corner was swung in toward the back post. Cole Kpekawa’s powerful header was deflected onto the post by Ben Hunter on the Market line. The ricochet was then parried by Graham and cleared. 

Oxford managed to capitalise on their dominance after a long ball was controlled by Lewis Coyle down the left-hand side. His crafty backheel was played into the path of Alfie Potter. Potter’s strike on goal was saved, and the rebound was pounced on by Zac McEachran who slid it across goal to captain Reece Fleet who rolled it into an open net to make it 2-0 to Oxford. 

After the break, the Marketmen found their rhythm and began pressurising the City goal, but just after the hour mark, Needham failed to clear their lines and the ball fell to McEachran on the edge of the box. His volley rocketed past Graham into the top corner and all but cemented the three points for City. An early goal of the season contender. 

The final nail in the Needham coffin came in the third of four added minutes when the Marketmen found themselves down to 10 men. Dan Morphew shown a red for his needless headbutt on Josh Ashby. 

Cox’s City side finally managed to capitalise on a promising start and come away with a decent result ahead of their trip to Leamington in midweek and a third round FA Cup qualifier with Gosport Borough. Full time 3-0 to the Hoops, a deserved victory and a much-needed end to the winless run in the league. 

Oxford City Starting XI: Mitchell, Burley (Ezennolim 80'), Ashby, Jones, Kpekawa, Coyle (Carbon 88'), Fleet (c), McEachran, Siddik (Roddy 70'), Parker (Andrews 84'), Potter (Stretton 84')