Oxford City’s unbeaten start to the season continued when a debut goal from Birmingham City loanee Briar Bateman earned them a 1-1 draw with Harborough Town.

Having conceded a soft goal to a Britt Assombalonga header City fought back for Bateman to earn them a point and ensure that both sides remain unbeaeten after a pulsating encounter.

Having closed last season in fantastic form, City brought a 100% record into the game but were up against a side who you underestimate at your peril. Harborough, unbeaten since their last trip to Oxfordshire when they lost at Banbury back in March were fresh from a win over Morecambe and were on top for the first 30 minutes with top scorer Riley O’Sullivan having two early penalty claims waved (rightly) away and a constant barrage of set pieces to test the City backline.

With right-back George Carline hurling long throws across much of Marston it was City’s sternest test so far but they weathered the early storm and started to impose their own style on the game as the minutes ticked past, a nice touch and shot from Ellis Brown catching the eye and Scott Pollock easing his way into his full debut.

City perked up after the break with Dillon De Silva forcing a good save and the game beginning to flow their way more: De Silva and Brown starting to stretch the game out wide and Dejan Tetek and Josh Ashby finding more space in midfield

However the suspicion was that a mistake was going to prove crucial and after 62 minutes it unfortunately came at City’s end. A mis struck cross from the left should have been cleared but instead was sliced skywards on the half volley. Assombolonga was perfectly placed to nod the ball over the stranded Maxted and the veteran forward had put his new side 1-0 up.

City responded brilliantly and pushed for an equaliser. Ludwig Francillette mistimed a header, Brown thrashed a couple of crosses beyond his advancing teammates and Matty Taylor walloped a left-footed effort over the bar as they chased the game.

A goal was coming though and on 84 minutes Brown burst away once more down the left and fizzed the ball across for Bateman to smash home for a debut goal that gave his side a deserved point.

Harborough look well equipped for life at this level but there wasn’t much to choose between the teams tonight. A mistake saw City concede for the first time, but they showed spirit aot get back on level terms and seven points from three games is a graet return.

On to Spennymoor we go...

CITY

Maxted, Bloom (Nelson 82), Francillette, Johnson, Humphries, Ashby, Tetek (McEachran79), Pollock (Taylor 67), De Silva (Bateman 61), Marsh, Brown

SUBS
Carroll, Kauan, Nelson

Att: 864

Report by Chris Williams