Joe Iaciofano’s first-half double saw City go into the break level before Klaidi Lolos added a third in the second-half , in what was a highly competitive affair. 

Ross Jenkins tweaked his side as members of the Hoops squad had one last game to gel and earn a place in the starting eleven for Saturday’s big kick-off against Eastbourne Borough.

Having navigated through the first ten minutes, City grew into the contest and eventually took the lead in the eighth minute. 

Joe Iaciofano received the ball on the edge of the box and opened his body up to curl a shot into the far corner and break the deadlock with a beautiful finish. 

The Hoops would have doubled their lead two minutes later if it wasn’t for Gloucester ‘keeper Liam Armstrong. Aaron Williams-Bushell’s deflected effort looked to wrong foot Armstrong but he managed to fling himself across goal and push the ball behind for a corner. 

The game was starting to hot up and the scoreline was turned on its head in a frantic first-half. Matt McClure equalised for Gloucester in the twelfth minute,  poking home Lucas Tomlinson’s cross from close-range. Moreover, Tomlinson put his own name on the scoresheet, burying a low shot past Dudzinski after a mazey run through the City half.

The Hoops weren’t to be dismayed though, as the scores were level again on the half-hour mark. Some beautiful build-up play was rewarded when Klaidi Lolos was fouled inside the area. Iaciofano stepped up to take and well… you know the rest! 2-2. 

There was still time for more chances before the break but City couldn’t edge ahead. Zac McEachran fired a powerful shot over the crossbar before Armstrong made a double-save to deny Lolos two minutes before the interval. 

Half-time: Oxford City 2-2 Gloucester City 

Jenkins opted to tweak things at the break with Lewis Miccio & Tom Harrison entering the fray. However, it was Dudzinski who was called into action three minutes into the half. 

Matt McClure looked destined to score when he had the time and space to run in on goal one v one but Dudzinski reacted well and was alert enough to quickly run off his line and block the striker’s delicate effort. 

The Hoops had their lucky stars to thank when Kieran Phillips and Kennedy Digie spurned some golden chances and the visitors were made to rue their missed chances with fifteen minutes to go. 

Lolos showed superb composure to chip the ball over his marker before placing a bobbling effort into the bottom corner of the net.

A hectic game became even more dramatic as Gloucester drew level for a second time in the contest. Jack James tapped home a cross at the back post despite Dudzinski’s best efforts in stopping an effort just seconds before. 

The game never had the stereotypical ‘pre-season feel’ to it and remained competitive to the end with both teams looking to grab a winner. 

Jean-Baptiste Fischer expertly beat the offside trap to run in on goal but somehow couldn’t squeeze an effort past the ‘keeper once inside the box before Charlie Rowan almost found the top-corner with a thunderous effort from thirty yards out. 

A great game for the neutral and now Ross Jenkins will have a selection headache ahead of Eastbourne’s visit on Saturday. The 2022/23 season is almost here!

Oxford City Starting XI: Dudzinski, Williams-Bushell (Baptiste-Fischer 81’), Burley (Harrison 45’), Carroll, Rowan, Coyle (Miccio 45’), Ashby, Fleet ©, McEachran (Humphrey-Ewers 81’), Iaciofano (Muchechetere 81’), Lolos.

Subs not used: Grantham