A hardworking Sinclair United suffered defeat against KEA in their final pre season match last night (Wednesday), going down 3-0.
It was a scoreline that flattered the hosts however, with United conceding just a few minutes after halftime and right at the final whistle.
But manager Steve Nash will be more than happy with his side's display against the former premier division side, who are tipped to be one of the title contenders at the end of the season.
With KEA fielding players with previous Hellenic League experience, it was always going to be a tough fixture for United.
And it proved early on with the home side threatening with crisp passing movements.
But it seemed whatever KEA threw at United, the back four of Will Jones, Adam Timms, Luke Jarvis and Luke Whitehead continued to work hard to keep their strikers at bay.
United keeper Toby Jones did well to parry some long range shots as KEA mounted increasing pressure, but despite their dominance in possession, the Bicester side were not able to break the deadlock.
United had some chances themselves as the half wore on. Following a 15-20-minute spell by KEA, midfielders Luke Butterworth and Ian Timms looked to get behind the defence, and wingers Ben Riley and Ben Washington aiming to exploit the spaces.
It was a half of promise for United, but they just lacked the cutting edge in the final third to seriously test the KEA keeper.
The second half started in the same way as the first, and despite United's continued hard work KEA finally broke the deadlock when a cross from the right was parried out by replacement keeper Stuart Ciballi, and the KEA frontman was quickest to react and put the ball in to the empty net.
United kept their concentration levels up however, something which was missing in games last season, and continued to find a way through KEA's experienced defence.
Substitute Josh Nash used his pace and trickery to good effect, and nearly had an instant impact when after being given space to shoot outside the box, his fierce drive went inches over the bar.
Ian Timms continued to frustrate the hosts with his dominance in the midfield battle, and United still tried to use the wings to feed Nash and supporting striker Jason Pritchard.
KEA were to double their lead midway through the second half however. Some crisp passing following by a neat through ball put one of their strikers in past the United defence and he made no mistake.
Despite the two-goal deficit the work ethic didn't drop from United and Washington was proving to be effective down the left side with his pace.
But right on the final whistle a move down the right from KEA saw their striker unleash a fierce drive which flew into the top corner to make it 3-0 and round off the victory.
Despite the result United boss Nash can be proud of his side's performance against probably one of the best sides in the league.
United begin their division one campaign away at FC Langford on Saturday, and Nash will be hoping for a repeat performance as they look to get their season under way with a win.
UNITED: T Jones (S Ciballi 45), W Jones (M Jeffs 60), L Jarvis, A Timms, L Whitehead, B Riley, I
Timms, L Butterworth, B Washington, P Rogers (J Nash 45), J Pritchard
