OXFORD City’s superb start to the season continued with another impressive display at Marsh Lane last night.

Justin Merritt’s side beat Stockport County, who started the evening just one place below City in the table, 2-1 to climb to third place in Vanarama Conference North.

It was in-form striker Adi Yussuf who delivered the goods once again, scoring twice in the space of five first-half minutes to set the hosts on the road to victory.

Although Kristian Dennis reduced the deficit after the break, City held on in front of a bumper gate of 562 at Court Place Farm.

Latest Sport news

Another entertaining game saw Darren Pond go close early on, the City man receiving a pass from Paul Stonehouse before shooting into the side-netting.

The hosts were showing plenty of endeavour, taking the game to their opponents who were struggling to impose themselves.

Yussuf found himself in space, but delayed his effort and his shot was blocked on the line.

In what was a rare attack from the visitors, a cross from Matthew Todd was comfortably held by the returning Mark Scott.

A long-range strike from Mark Lees then sailed over the City goalkeeper’s crossbar.

On 34 minutes, City went ahead when Marlon Jackson made a penetrating run down the left and crossed for Yussuf to power home a finish.

Five minutes later, Yussuf doubled his tally when, from just inside his own half, the forward raced towards goal with the Stockport defence stretched before finishing with aplomb.

The visitors showed more determination after the break and pulled a goal back when City switched off and allowed a strike on goal from Richie Baker that Scott parried, but Dennis was on hand to convert the rebound.

Scott was then called upon to make another good save, Declan Benjamin in the right place to clear the loose ball.

Stockport’s bid was all but ended when Chris Sharp was shown a straight red card after an elbow and City managed to close out the remaining minutes with few scares.

Oxford City: Scott, Benjamin, Stonehouse, Pond, Lapoujade, Henderson, Isaac (Hoban 76), Mullings, Yussuf, Jackson (Barcelos 68), Winters (Rodriguez 60). Subs not used: Brown.

Referee: C O’Donnell

Attendance: 562.

  • Do you want alerts delivered straight to your phone via our WhatsApp service? Text NEWS or SPORT or NEWS AND SPORT, depending on which services you want, and your full name to 07767 417704. Save our number into your phone’s contacts as Oxford Mail WhatsApp and ensure you have WhatsApp installed.