Oxford United manager Darren Patterson praised the efforts of his new strikeforce Jamie Guy and James Constable - and wants more of the same.

Guy, who is on a season-long loan from Colchester, scored a double in their 4-0 win against Banbury United last night, his first goals for the club.

Fellow new boy Constable and Cheltenham Town triallist Craig Reid got the others.

"I thought they both did well. We bought Jamie and James to the club to score goals and it's nice when they do that, whether it's in a friendly or in the league.

"Guy had an injury-hit season last year. We need to keep them both fit, because if you look at the squad, it's not massive.

"So we will be looking to strengthen, particularly with Phil Trainer and Declan Benjamin both out."

Guy signalled his intentions from the off, going close in the first few seconds, before Yemi Odubade was shut out by the Banbury defence.

United youngster Luke Bennett, who yesterday completed a loan move to Southern League Banbury, was soon called into action, taking over from the injured Ben Milner with 15 minutes gone.

Only a great challenge from Craig Pearman prevented Constable from giving Oxford the lead after he was set-up by Guy.

On 17 minutes, Constable fired United ahead after a brilliant run from his own half by Guy.

Minutes later, he was denied by a brilliant fingertip save from Banbury keeper Andy Wheeler, after a mistake by a defender.

Constable and Lewis Haldane then went close.

The second half was only seconds old when Guy lashed home his first goal for the club after being set up by the impressive Adam Murray.

Guy then showed his close control as he rounded substitute keeper Joe Murrell for his second.

Luke Foster headed a Murray cross over the bar, as Banbury struggled to cope at the back, and up front where they failed to muster a shot on target.

Ten minutes from time, Reid made it 4-0 with a 20-yarder to complete a satisfactory night for the U's.

Patterson added: "I thought Craig played well. He's different from Guy and Constable. He's a clever player and is hard to mark.

"He's not got electric pace, but he's very good technically.

"The game was a very good workout, and apart from those injuries to Phil and Declan everything is gelling together."

Banbury Utd: Wheeler (Murrell 45), Stringfellow (Fitton 60), Kinch (Peppiatt 60), Essex, Milner (Bennett 15), Pearman (Sambrook 65), Travers (McKay 70), Stanbridge, Scott Bridges (Reeves 60), Bryan, Tocco (Goddard 27).

Oxford Utd: Cole, Day, Carruthers, Quinn (Clarke 61), Foster (Willmott 61), Burnell, Odubade (Fower 85), Murray (Davies 76), Constable (Reid 76), Guy (Deering 76), Haldane (Bowerman 85).

  • United youngster Alex Fisher scored on his Bognor debut in their 4-2 loss against Brighton last night. He is on loan at the Blue Square South club.