The U's started the Nationwide Conference season in the best possible way this afternoon with a convincing win over Halifax Town.

United boss Jim Smith kept faith with the eleven that started in midweek against Manchester United.Seven of Smith's summer signings started in his now familiar 3-5-1-1 formation with Andy Burgess asked to wander, pick-up the ball and create for Oxford.

As referee Phil Gibbs kicked off the match the sound of the whistle was drowned out by the sound of the home fans and just two minutes later, they almost took the roof off.Carl Pettefer broke up play in the middle of the park and the ball found its way to Eddie Anaclet on the right. The flying wing-back then did fantastically well to beat his defender and play in a low ball that just evaded Rob Duffy at the back post.

It was a decent start by the home side who at this stage of the match were happy to sit back, soak up the Halifax pressure and then try to hit them on the counter attack.In the 16^th minute it worked a treat as Oxford scored a deserved opener.United broke up play in the middle, the ball was worked to Gavin Johnson who showed his quality by playing a wonderful chipped ball over the last defender.Rob Duffy timed his run to perfection and got the ball just before Craig Mawson in the Halifax goal before he was pulled back in the area. Referee Gibbs had no hesitation in pointing to the spot where Duffy after dusting himself down, calmly slotted the ball home to score his first league goal for United.

To be fair to the visitors, they fought back well with Tyrone Thompson catching the eye in midfield and even at this early stage of the game, it was clear that Halifax will be towards the top end of the league at the end of the season.

As much as the away side battled, United held firm and although it was Halifax that had the best of the possession, they had not yet created a clear goal-scoring opportunity.

In fact it was Oxford that did that in the 40^th minute when Johnson bombed down the left and played in a superb ball for Duffy, but this time the big striker could not keep his header down and it flew over the bar.

Halifax were a decent outfit, better than several teams to visit The U's last season, and the game as a whole was and even contest. One difference with the nnew look United is the solid spine of the team, where the midfield trio of Dempster, Pettefer and Hutchinson working as a unit to protect the back three , and then coming forward en masse when time and space allows. The onus is on wing back Johnson and Anaclet to give width , but defensively the Yellows were looking solid as they soaked up Halifax pressure in the early stages of the second half.

The ability to spring forward was shown on 58 when a flowing move began with Anaclet running the ball out of defence (note running not hoofing) and freeing Pettefer who fed Johnson. His ball allowed Burgess to spin in the area and shoot right footed to force keeper Mawson into a save.

On the hour Smith shuffled his side to bring Yemi Odubade to join Duffy up front and Burgess to drop into the centre of the park, and that move lifted the volume level as the crowd really rallied behind The U's.

That support was rewarded as it deserved with a peach of a goal from The U's outstanding player. Burgess was 25, maybe 30 yards from goal (it is Halifax so we'll give him the interest) when he received Odubade's lay off, but Halifax made the mistake of allowing him time and space and Burgess will punish any sides who do that this season. This time the punishment took the form of a superbly struck shot which flew past the flying keeper for a majestic goal which belonged on a much bigger stage.

That strike put the result beyond reasonable doubt, and earned Burgess a standing ovation when he was replaced with nine minutes to go.

A good start to the campaign. It would have been easy for this match to be a damp squib after all the excitement and expectation of recent weeks, but The U's were professional, organised and will be more than pleased to get that first win out of the way.

Report Julian Hitchman and Chris Williams, pictures Steve Daniels