Oxford City got their season off to a winning start this afternoon as a goal from French defender Ludwig Francillette earned them a 1-0 win over Bedford Town at the MGroup Stadium

The new signing powered home at the far post to get City off to a perfect start in a tight game between twop good sides.

 With injuries from the final pre-season game ruling out Zac McEachran, Ewan Clark and Scott Pollock City switched to a 4-4-2 shape that saw Matty Taylor and Tyrone Marsh as the front two,, a move that almost paid off with City creating plenty of chances in the first half.

Bedford, who ended last season in almost as good form as City, started brightly but City weathered an early storm and both Marsh and Taylor tested former City keeper Laurie Walker’s handling as they competed for the honour of scoring the first goal of the campaign. Left-back Evan Humphries saw a goalbound effort fly clear off a defender’s ear on the line as City dominated but neither side could find a breakthrough in an even first half.

City’s midfield duo of Dejan Tetek and Josh Ashby are both clever players and were winning their battle, the captain charging down a George Moncur effort soon after the break and both of them working their socks off to keep Bedford at arm’s length.

When the visitors did get a sight at goal Jonny Maxted was on hand with two or three fairly routine saves and on 77 minutes the crucial goal came as Francillette got above his man at the back post to finally find a way past Walker with a downwards header to decide matters in City's fanvour.

Good start. Long way to go. Enjoy the ride...

CITY

Maxted, Bloom, Francillette, Johnson, Humphries, Ashby, Tetek De Silva, Brown (Odegah 64.Kauan 90), Marsh, Taylor (Potter 67)

Subs

Carroll, Moir, Njogu, Nelson,

Att: 867

Report by Chris Williams, pictures Steve Daniels