Report | Oxford United 1 Swansea City 0
Marcus Browne scored the only goal of the game for the home side as Swansea City’s pre-season campaign continued against Oxford United at the Kassam Stadium.
The U’s forward netted the only goal of the game in the seventh minute as his low left-footed shot found its way into the net.
The Swans had chances of their own with Ben Cabango heading straight at the keeper, and Joel Piroe seeing a low right-footed effort saved early in the second half before heading wide late on, as Michael Duff’s side continue to build towards that opening Championship fixture against Birmingham City on August 5.
Swansea started brightly, working Josh Key in down the right, before Cabango headed a corner straight into the gloves of James Beadle in the Oxford goal.
Beadle was soon called into action again, cutting out Jay Fulton’s cross as Jerry Yates waited to convert at the far post.
But it was Oxford who took the lead as a loose pass allowed the hosts to go forward, with Ruben Rodrigues pouncing and teeing up Browne for a low shot which Andy Fisher could not keep out of the net.
It was the first goal the Swans had conceded in pre-season, and Browne threatened again as he lashed a shot high and wide after a driving run from halfway.
Fisher then denied Mark Harris after the forward had cut in from the left to get away a shot the Swansea keeper had to turn around his near post.
The visitors responded with a promising attack, but Fulton’s final cross was cut out by the alert Beadle.
The hosts remained in front at the break although Piroe forced a good low save from Beadle after Kyle Naughton and Olivier Ntcham had combined to find the Dutchman in space just inside the area.
Key then drove at his man down the right flank but his clipped cross to the far post was beyond any supporting teal shirts.
The summer signing was proving a handful and he surged on to a Matt Grimes pass to deliver across the six-yard box but the home defence were vigilant and cleared.
At the other end, Gatlin O’Donkor scuffed an effort wide after cutting into the area from the right, before Fisher made a good save to prevent Harry Darling turning a Fin Stevens cross into his own net.
Piroe then had a golden chance to level with seven minutes to go but sent Azeem Abdulai’s cross agonisingly wide of the target.
Oxford United: James Beadle, Sam Long, Ciaran Brown, Jordan Thorniley, Elliott Moore (captain), Josh McEachran (Oisin Smith 64), Cameron Brannagan, Mark Harris (Fin Stevens 64), Marcus Browne (Gatlin O’Donkor 64), Tyler Goodrham (Yanic Wildschut 77), Ruben Rodrigues (Trialist 77).
Unused Substitutes: Eddie Brearey, James Golding.
Swansea City: Andy Fisher, Josh Key (Azeem Abdulai 77), Jay Fulton, Ben Cabango (Brandon Cooper 68), Harry Darling, Matt Grimes (captain), Jerry Yates (Liam Cullen 64), Olivier Ntcham (Jamie Paterson 82), Joel Piroe, Nathan Wood, Kyle Naughton.
Unused Substitutes: Ben Hughes, Ollie Cooper, Ben Lloyd, Joe Thomas, Josh Thomas, Joel Cotterill, Filip Lissah.
Referee: Dean Whitestone
Attendance: 3,206
Away fans: 615