Having made it to the top of the table after four wins from their opening five games, Oxford United suffered a setback this week.
The U’s lost at home to Port Vale on Saturday but, despite the loss, it was a relatively good seven days for Liam Manning’s side.
Oxford United Weekly Round-Up: Deadline Day, New Deals and League Loss
New Deal for Experienced Goalkeeper
Veteran goalkeeper Simon Eastwood penned a new deal this week, keeping at the club until 2025.
The 34-year-old, who joined the club from Blackburn in 2016 after the U’s won promotion to League One, has turned out 280 times.
He has been the club’s number one for most of his tenure at Grenoble Road but the arrival of James Beadle has pushed him back to number two.
Speaking to the club’s official website, Eastwood said: “It’s good to get it sorted.
“My role has slightly changed this year but I am still training as hard as ever, trying to push James Beadle but also there as an older head to try and help him if needed.
“The gaffer has been excellent, I have loved it here ever since I first signed and it’s great to have that little bit of security for my family for the next couple of years.”
Liam Manning added: “Easty is still a fantastic goalkeeper. His attitude is spot-on every day.
“James Beadle has been excellent but it’s no coincidence that Easty is there providing the same sort of competition that we are looking for in every position. He epitomises the culture that we want here.”
New Deal for Oxford United Academy Striker
Young striker Gatlin O’Donkor then signed a new “long-term” deal with the club.
The 18-year-old, who became the club’s youngest-ever player when he made his debut in the Football League Trophy in 2020, has scored twice from 35 League One appearances.
Speaking to the club’s official website, Manning said: “Gatlin has all the physical attributes you need and has a very bright future.
“He knows there are things he needs to work on if he is to fulfil the huge potential he has, and a lot of that comes from within, but at the same time we will give him every opportunity to keep developing and be part of what we are building this season and in the years to come.”
O’Donkor added: “It’s a nice feeling knowing that the gaffer and the club have you in their plans.
“I am enjoying my football this season and the team is going really well so it was a really easy decision to sign a longer contract.
“The club is ambitious and so am I. All I can do now is work hard and try to repay the faith they have shown in me”
Lincoln Trip Postponed
Oxford’s trip to Lincoln has been postponed due to international call-ups.
Ciaron Brown has been selected for Northern Ireland’s matches against Slovenia and Kazakhstan while Fin Stevens will represent Wales U21 against Liechtenstein and Lithuania.
Tyler Goodrham also earned his first international call-up after being selected for the Republic of Ireland U21s. He could feature in their home games against Turkey and San Marino.
James Beadle, who had represented England at U20 level, was then selected for England’s U21 squad for their UEFA U21 EURO Qualifier in Luxembourg, while Leeds loanee Sonny Perkins was called up for the England U20s.
Deadline Day Addition
On transfer deadline day, the U’s signed Kyle Edwards from Ipswich Town, with the winger arriving on a season-long loan.
The 25-year-old, who joined the Tractor Boys in 2021 after spending much of his career with West Brom, turned out 30 times in the league last season.
Edwards has won promotion from League One with Ipswich and another from the Championship during his time with the Baggies.
Speaking to the club’s official website, Edwards said: “As soon as I talked to the manager, I was excited about coming here and being involved.
“I like the way his teams play, the club are very ambitious and they’ve had a really strong start to the season.
“I’m looking forward to showing the fans what I can do and to helping the team.”
Manning added: “He is one of those players you are always wary of.
“He is very quick and very direct, and that stretches the game.
“Like Greg Leigh, who joined last week, he knows how to win promotion from this division, and we believe we have made another really important signing.
“The board have been excellent and fully backed what we want to do.
“Having made a strong start to the season we now need to carry that on, starting on Saturday at home to Port Vale.”
Another Oxford United International Call Up
After Beadle, Stevens, Brown, Goodrham and Perkins were all selected for international duty, summer signing Greg Leigh was then called up to represent Jamaica.
The 28-year-old, who has earned eight caps for the Reggae Boyz, could feature in their Concacaf Nations League matches against Honduras and Haiti this month.
Winning Run Comes to an End With Defeat Against Port Vale
A controversial and nervy affair, Oxford’s winning run came to an end with defeat at home against Port Vale.
Mark Harris was shown a red card for an incident off the ball before the visitors opened the scoring shortly after.
The U’s regrouped and netted an injury-time equaliser through Greg Leigh but the left-back picked up a second yellow card just moments later.
Then, nine minutes into stoppage time, Port Vale were awarded a penalty and they scored to earn all three points.
Featured image: Jimmy and Sacha Reade. CC BY-ND 2.0
