Carabao Cup Round One
Tuesday 12 August 2025
Kassam Stadium, Oxford
Oxford United… 1
(Goodrham 9’)
Colchester United… 0
Oxford United put themselves in the hat for the next round of the Carabao Cup after defeating Colchester United 1-0 in Round One.
Tyler Goodrham’s early wonder-strike after nine minutes was enough to earn the first victory of the season for Gary Rowett’s side, with United finding out their opponents on Wednesday evening for Round Two.
It was an extremely warm evening in the south of the city and temperatures rose even more on the field when Tyler Goodrham bagged the first competitive goal of the season with an early contender for goal of the season. Picking up the ball from 25 yards, it was a trademark Goodrham finish, lashing a dipping shot over the keeper and firm into the top left corner.
Gary Rowett made a number of changes from the weekend’s defeat to Portsmouth with Hidde Ter Avest in at right-wing-back as the Head Coach also shift systems. The Dutchman almost got the second just moments later when he sent a header over the bar from a typical long throw.
League Two Colchester United did show some threatening moments in the first half, the best falling to Adrian Akande on 14 minutes who sent an effort just wide of Jamie Cumming’s left post.
Matt Phillips was in at left-wing-back, the only man to score in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup for United last season. He was so close to being back on the scoresheet on 22 minutes, cutting inside and curling a stunning shot across goal, but Matt Macey got fingertips to it.
It was a fairly uneventful second half of the opening 45 minutes, which carried on into the second period until Siriki Dembele blasted over on the hour mark.
The visitors were giving it everything, and while they didn’t make Cumming work, they did get into several good opportunities as they tried to get an equaliser to force a penalty shootout.
Still, United’s typical weapons were continuing to threaten, with Cameron Brannagan trying his luck from 30 yards with 13 minutes left which required Macey to produce another strong stop.
Gatlin O’Donkor had a great chance to double the lead with five to play after he was set up by Sam Long and the striker’s one-on-one from a tight angle was well stopped by the keeper.
Mark Harris had another big chance towards the 90th minute with his shot beating the keeper, but a Colchester defender was on the line to clear.
Progression to Round Two secured, with the draw taking place tomorrow at 7:30pm.
Oxford United: Cumming, Long, Helik, Brannagan, Phillips (Moore 80’), Goodrham, Bradshaw (Sibley 62’), Dembele (M. Harris 80’), Ter Avest (Spencer 74’), Currie, Lankshear (O’Donkor 61’)
Subs not used: Ingram, Vaulks, Mills, Snowden
Colchester United: Macey, Perry (Thorn 64’), Tucker, Flanagan, Payne, Gordon, Read, Williams, Akande, Powell, Vincent-Young (Harvey 64’)
Subs not used: Smith, Hunt, Tovide, Lisbie, O. Edwards, F. Edwards, Emery
Attendance: 3,452 (483 away)
