Oxford United vs West Bromwich Albion on 19 Jul 22 - Match Centre

Oxford United welcome West Bromwich Albion to the Kassam Stadium this evening for their final home pre-season game of the summer (7.45pm)

The game is a fundraiser for the Joey Beauchamp Trust and all profits from the game will go to Joey's daughters via the Trust.

TEAM NEWS
Elliott Moore is the one doubt from the squad that played against Coventry on Saturday. The centre-half suffered a hip injury in the second half and United will monitor his progress, as Karl Robinson told us:

"We'll just wait and let it settle down but we won't do anything silly at this stage of pre-season and if he needs to sit out tonight then that's fine. Sam Long should be back in training next week so the only player missing will be Sam Baldock who sadly will be missing for the first few weeks of the season.

"We are very close to having new faces in the squad as well. They won't be involved tonight but we are close to completing those now and hopefully they can be involved at AFC Wimbledon on Saturday.

"I'm looking forward to tonight. West Brom are going to be very strong opponents, in very tough conditions, but that's exactly what you need at this stage of pre-season."

THE OPPOSITION
West Brom boss Steve Bruce is putting the finishing touches to his squad ahead of their season in the Championship.

“My job is to be never finished and to keep knocking on the door to improve the quality” he said.

“I believe the big ones, the real big clubs of our country, are all on tour. They are all taking their young ones with them so I still think there is a bit of work to be done in those areas so we’ll see.”

Albion have brought in three new additions so far this summer after last season's tenth placed finish in the Championship. Jayson Molumby's loan spell at the Hawthorns was made permanent while Jed Wallace and John Swift have made the switch from Millwall and Reading respectively on free transfers.

TICKETS
Prices have been reduced to just £10 an adult for this game, £5 for all concessions.

These are available to purchase online HERE, in person, and over the telephone on 01865 337533.

Remember, every ticket bought sees money going to the Joey Beauchamp Trust: if you aren't coming along then how about buying a ticket anyway as a donation to one of our greatest ever players

Please note that select blocks in the South Stand Upper, Lower, and East Stand will be open for this game.

PARKING AND ACCESS

There are around 2,000 free parking spaces at the stadium but we ask everyone to arrive early and park legally.

The gate behind the Planet IT North Stand WILL NOT be in place so fans can move from one end of the ground to the other behind that stand.

VISITING FANS
Please park in the West Car Park - the one closest to the cinema and bowling complex at the fence end of the ground.

PROGRAMME

Tonight's programme is a taster for the new look matchday programme, and folds out into a poster. Available all around the ground, the programme is just £2.

WEATHER WATCH
With temperatures still rising we ask all supporters to be sensible:

Keep hydrated
Wear suitable clothing to keep cool
Bring sun cream, sunglasses and a hat ….or treat yourself to an OUFC cap from our club shop.
Keep an eye on young children, vulnerable persons and the elderly

We have a medical team on site for anyone that feels unwell; look after each other

COVERAGE

You can see the whole game in iFollow with commentary from our friends at BBC Oxford Sport.

You can also follow the whole game on Twitter through @OUFCOfficial or on our Instagram page and we will have a full match report and gallery right here on the final whistle.

Oxford United were beaten by two Karlan Grant goals and an own goal this evening as West Bromwich Albion won 3-0 at the Kassam Stadium.

Grant's two second-half goals and a Yoav Sade own goal with four minutes left were enough to settle things and were probably fair enough as a scoreline, but The U's had worked hard and matched their higher-division opposition for much of the 90 minutes in their penultimate pre-season friendly.

The U’s, giving a second outing to their splendid new home kit, gave trialists Jerome Sinclair and Jodi Jones a further chance to impress and both worked hard on the hottest day in living memory; a brief shower of rain at kick-off failed to lift the oppressive heat.

That had an effect on a sluggish first half where both sides worked hard to keep the ball but rarely threatened to break the deadlock. James Henry whistled a free kick wide after 22 minutes, Jones wiggled into a decent position after half an hour but couldn’t pick out his man, but neither keeper was truly tested before the break.

Credit to the defence and to John Mousinho for the way he marshalled the men around him, while Marcus McGuane was a model of discipline in protecting the back line in his holding role.

The second half continued in a keep-ball fashion; plenty of pass and move and United matching a side expected to challenge for promotion from the Championship, but a glut of changes made it hard to keep the shape and discipline and gradually the visitors started to gain territory.

There were a couple of warnings, with efforts blocked or flying wide, but then with 20 minutes to go Grant stole in behind the trailing defence to fire past the startled Stevens and give Steve Bruce's side a 1-0 lead. With time running out, Grant doubled his tally with a close-range header to make it 2-0 and ensure the Baggies has their win.

Sub Marcus Browne added a threat, Mousinho's header forced a save, and United finished with a very young side, although Sade will want to forget his first touch, when he tried manfully to keep the ball away from danger but only managed to bundle it into his own goal to make it 3-0.

Our thanks to everyone who bought a ticket, and to West Brom who kindly donated their share of the gate money to the Joey Beauchamp Trust.

United now move on to one last warm-up game when they travel to AFC Wimbledon on Saturday.

United
Stevens, Forde (Sade 80), Mousinho, Brown, Seddon (Golding 46), Henry (Browne 46), McGuane (Johnson 80), Smyth (Brannagan 46), Sinclair (Taylor 46), Bodin (Davis 75), Jones (Goodrham 68)

Att 2,422
Away 639

Report Chris Williams; photos Steve Daniels and Steve Edmunds

Match Reports

Oxford United

PREVIEW Oxford United v West Bromwich Albion

REPORT Oxford United 0 West Bromwich Albion 3