RICARDINHO could not hide his delight after netting his first Oxford United goal – but later apologised for his celebration.

The popular Brazilian left back doubled the U’s lead just after half-time in Saturday’s 3-0 win over AFC Wimbledon.

Wes Thomas and substitute Xemi also found the net as United earned back-to-back Sky Bet League One victories.

Ricardinho scored the home side’s second, popping up in the area to fire James Henry’s cross low and hard into the bottom corner.

The 33-year-old cherished the moment, enjoying his first goal for the club in front of United’s home fans.

Ricardinho said: “I didn’t think the ball would come to me.

“But all of the players just forgot about me when I came into the area from behind.

“I then thought ‘OK, maybe the ball will come’ and I just kicked it.

“When it went in I just started to run, but I’m not used to scoring.

“It was a great feeling, usually I don’t score.

“That moment was good and we had a chance to make the game easier, but we had to focus and work hard.”

Ricardinho’s last goal came from the penalty spot for FK Qabala in a Europa League tie against Anderlecht nearly a year ago.

At first he was unsure how to celebrate, but went on to place the ball under his shirt to mark his wife’s pregnancy.

However, even that went wrong.

The left back added: “I’m not used to scoring goals and then I started to think ‘what should I do?’.

“And later then I forgot, because my wife is pregnant, to take the ball (out from under my shirt) and give it back!”

U’s boss Pep Clotet, who previously worked with Ricardinho when he was a coach at Swedish side Malmo in 2010, was not surprised to see the full back show such composure in the box.

He said: “It was a good game for Ricardinho to go and attack.

“He is a good defender and is actually a really good offensive player.

“He has a lot of quality on the ball and that goal just showed it.”