PEP Clotet was confirmed as Oxford United’s new manager with the month just a few hours old.

The Spaniard was announced as U’s boss at 6am on July 1 after emerging as the board’s unanimous choice to succeed Michael Appleton.

Clotet had been Garry Monk’s assistant at Leeds United after spells as academy consultant and No 2 at Swansea City.

Jon Obika became Clotet’s first signing when he switched from arch-rivals Swindon Town, while United beat Hull City and drew with Middlesbrough during their pre-season training camp in Portugal.

United began the Clotet era with a 3-0 win over Oxford City on Court Place Farm’s slick new 3G surface.

The friendly doubled up as the official opening of the revamped ground and a crowd of 2,276 smashed the previous record gate by almost 500.

Aston Rowant’s cricketers closed in on a match at Lord’s.

A seven-wicket victory over Ynystawe in the quarter-finals of the Watsons Village Cup left the team just one game away from a trip to the home of cricket.

Elsewhere, Oxfordshire athletes Nathan Douglas and Hannah England missed out on another call-up for their country.

The Oxford City athletes failed to qualify for Great Britain’s World Championship squad at the British trials in Birmingham.