Zac McEachran grabbed a remarkable four assists in the game as City dominated from the first whistle to the last. 

A mixture of first-team, U23 and trialist players made the trip to the Midlands, as Ross Jenkins picked a larger squad than usual in order to battle the soaring temperatures.

City’s start to the game was almost as hot as the weather. Lewis Coyle rattled the crossbar after racing through on goal after just two minutes, whereas Iaciofano dragged an effort wide of the mark five minutes later.

Trialist D (playing alongside Iaciofano up front) broke the deadlock when he rounded the goalkeeper to put the ball into an empty net after being played in by Zac McEachran just after the half hour mark.

It was deja vu seven minutes later when Trialist D grabbed his second of the game. Once again, McEachran found his man and he had the time and space to place his shot past the goalkeeper to double the Hoops’ lead. 

Three minutes later City had their third. McEachran secured a hat-trick of assists as he weaved into the penalty box and fizzed a low cross across the six-yard box where Joe Iaciofano glady fired home from point blank range. 

Jenkins opted to make four changes at the break with Trialist D subbed off after his brace for another trialist. 

On sixty-six minutes it was 4-0. McEachran floated a beautiful pass into the right-hand channel for Trialist E to run onto. He had the freedom of Stratford to run in on goal unopposed and slot an effort through the ‘keepers legs. 

The Hoops weren’t resting on their laurels and kept pushing for a fifth with trialists hitting the crossbar and forcing a save from the Stratford goalkeeper. 

A first win in pre-season for the Hoops and a very promising performance to match. We’d like to wish our hosts Stratford Town the very best for their upcoming campaign. 

City return to the Velocity Stadium in their next friendly when Vanarama National League North side  Brackley Town visit Oxfordshire in another tough test. 

Oxford City Starting XI: Dudzinski, Trialist (Burley 45’), Trialist (Trialist 45’), Ashby (Stokoe 80’), Carroll (Bromfield 51’), Rowan, Coyle (Trialist 45’), Trialist (Humphrey-Ewers 74’), Iaciofano (Trialist 70’), McEachran (Muchechetere 80’), Trialist (Trialist 45’