Oxford United Secures First League One Win Under Aaron Ramsey

Aaron Ramsey hailed the character of his Oxford United side after they dug out their first League One win of the season in a hard-edged contest at Stevenage.

The new U’s boss watched his team absorb heavy pressure in the first half, then strike twice after the break through Gatlin O'Donkor and a Cameron Brannagan penalty. A late Stevenage goal in added time made for a nervy finish, but Oxford held firm to deliver Ramsey his maiden victory in charge.

“It was a really tough place to go to but a test that we stood up to,” Ramsey told BBC Radio Oxford, his satisfaction clear after a rugged away performance.

Oxford spent long spells of the opening 45 minutes without the ball, but they refused to bend. Ramsey had demanded discipline out of possession, and his players responded.

“Particularly in the first half we knew that we would have to be on it from an out-of-possession point of view and I thought we were brilliant, we defended the box superbly,” he said.

That resilience laid the groundwork. Once the interval came and went, Oxford began to turn the screw.

The pressure finally told when substitute Stan Mills, making his first appearance since Ramsey confirmed he will join Preston North End in January, made an instant impact off the bench. The 22-year-old created the opener, supplying the assist for O'Donkor to break the deadlock and tilt the contest Oxford’s way.

Stevenage, chasing the game, were forced to open up. Oxford seized their chance. Brannagan stepped up from the spot to double the lead, giving the visitors the cushion their second-half control deserved.

Even a late strike from the hosts in added time could not derail them. Oxford saw it out, a small but significant marker laid down for Ramsey’s tenure.

“The reception that he got from the Oxford fans was really pleasing and Stan deserves that,” Ramsey added, keen to underline Mills’ contribution despite his impending departure.

“He's been a player of high quality over the last few years and he deserves that moment with the fans today.”

Oxford now turn quickly to their next assignment: a trip to Huddersfield on Tuesday, 1 September. After standing up to one test on the road, the question is whether this first win becomes a platform – or just a one-off.