OXFORD City struck early as they secured the first victory of their Vanarama National League South campaign with a 3-0 win away at a Whitehawk, writes PATRICK LOCK.

The game was won in the opening 28 minutes thanks to penalty from Matt Paterson and strikes from Horatio Hirst and Reece Fleet.

The visitors started well and were awarded a penalty in the fourth minute following a foul just inside the box after a free kick was whipped in.

Paterson tucked away into the bottom right corner after sending the keeper the wrong way.

City continued to dominate.

Hirst doubled the lead on 20 minutes, after an excellent move found him on the edge of the box – and he tucked away into the bottom left corner.

They completed the scoring on 27 minutes, when a pass from Zac McEachran found Fleet unmarked.

He smashed it back across the keeper to make it 3-0.

Whitehawk started the second half strongly, earning a series of corners.

But thanks to some good defending, and several good saves from Craig Hill, City were able to weather the storm and regain control.

The hosts were reduced to ten men on 79 minutes after Dan Harding was sent off for a second bookable offence.

City had an effort from Freddie Grant disallowed after he beat the keeper from 30 yards, and they were unable to add to their tally.

But they still finished with a convincing 3-0 success.

Oxford City: Hill, Poku, Grant, Jones, Henderson, Oastler (Navarro 74), McEachran, Fleet (Fofana 65), Paterson (Forde 65), Hirst, Pearce.

Attendance: 208.