OXFORD United have announced their second pre-season friendly as they build up to life in the second tier of English football.

The U’s revealed last week that they would take on neighbours Oxford City on July 19, and they will back that up with a clash against Exeter City.

The fixture against the Grecians though will be played behind closed doors, at United’s training ground on July 24.

According to a Grecians statement, the game will be played behind closed doors due to ongoing pitch renovations at the Kassam Stadium.

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The U’s of course beat Exeter on the final day of the 2023/24 campaign, with goals from Mark Harris and Cameron Brannagan helping United to a 2-1 win, and combined with results elsewhere in their favour, the U’s were able to finish in fifth place and make the Sky Bet League One play-offs.

Des Buckingham’s team would go on to beat Peterborough United 2-1 on aggregate in the play-off semi-finals, before a Josh Murphy brace secured a 2-0 win against Bolton Wanderers in the Wembley final.

Both pre-season friendlies against the Hoops and the Grecians will follow a warm weather training camp for Buckingham’s side.

Oxford Mail:

Although supporters won’t be able to purchase tickets for the Exeter match, fans can still buy tickets for the Hoops friendly.

They’ve been priced at £10 for adults, £7 for students and blue light workers, and £5 for under-16s. Hoops season ticket holders will have the game included in their season ticket package.

The Hoops finished bottom in their first season in the Vanarama National League, and are looking for a new boss after Ross Jenkins left for Boreham Wood. City will play in National League North next season.

United and City didn’t meet last summer as the Hoops had their 3G pitch re-laid, but the clubs will go head-to-head at Court Place Farm on July 19, with kick-off at 7:30pm.

The U’s won 5-2 in an action-packed encounter when the teams last met, in July 2022.

Zac McEachran’s stunning early opener was wiped out by a Cameron Brannagan brace, and strikes from James Henry and Sam Long.

Latrell Humphrey-Ewers scored early in the second period, before Marcus Browne restored United’s three-goal cushion.

In addition to the final day win at Exeter, the U’s were 3-0 winners in the reverse fixture at Grenoble Road in September.

Ruben Rodrigues opened the scoring after eight minutes, when he headed in for his first United goal, before Brannagan netted twice from the penalty spot in the closing stages.

The Grecians are managed by Gary Caldwell, and include former U’s winger Yanic Wildschut in their squad.