OXFORD City captain Darren Pond hailed striker Bradley Bubb for his sensational debut goal in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at home to Chelmsford City, writes MATTHEW BRUCE.

Charlie Henry had just fired Chelmsford into the lead for a second time when Bubb launched a long-distance equaliser direct from kick-off.

And while the goal took almost everyone in the ground by surprise, Pond revealed it was actually a visionary pre-planned training ground routine.

  • Highlights via Chelmsford City's Youtube channel

Pond said: “It was funny actually because Fozzy (Alan Foster, goalkeeping coach) said to me about shooting from the halfway line.

“I told him I can’t kick it that far, so I had to tell Brad to do it and he couldn’t have hit it any better to be fair.”

City are back in action this evening as they travel to St Albans City.

Assistant manager Danny Nicholls, in charge of the side in the absence of general manager Justin Merritt, wants a better defensive display.

“We talked to the players about being solid at the back even when we’re attacking,” he said.

“We leave ourselves a bit exposed to the counter attack, so there’s a lot to learn there.”