Oxford United beat Stevenage 2-1 in League One on 22 August, second-half goals from Gatlin O'Donkor and Cameron Brannagan enough to see off a stoppage-time reply from Jordan Roberts. O'Donkor, on as a substitute for Louie Sibley in the 64th minute, put Oxford ahead two minutes later. Brannagan added a second from the penalty spot in the 86th minute, and Roberts pulled one back in the 97th, but Stevenage could not find a leveller.
Oxford manager Aaron Ramsey said his side "stood up to the test" to claim their first three points of the season. "It was a really tough place to go to but [it was] a test that we stood up to," he said. "Particularly in the first half we knew that we would have to be on it from an out-of-possession point of view and I thought we were brilliant, we defended the box superbly. That gave us the confidence and the platform to take the game to them in the second half and I felt we really had control of the game then."
Stan Mills, who has agreed to join Preston North End in January, made his first appearance since the move was confirmed, coming off the bench and setting up O'Donkor's opener. He was warmly received by the travelling support. "The reception that he got [from the Oxford fans] was really pleasing and Stan deserves that," Ramsey said. "He's been a player of high quality over the last few years and he deserves that moment with the fans today."
Cameron Brannagan was booked for dissent in the 59th minute, 27 minutes before his penalty; Michal Helik, Mark Harris and Stanley Mills were also cautioned for Oxford, with Lewis Freestone the only Stevenage name in the book. The result moves Oxford up to fourth, unbeaten through their opening two games; Stevenage remain without a win, 19th after two. Oxford are next in action away at Huddersfield Town on Tuesday, 1 September.