OXFORD CITY 3

Parker 34, 62, Carroll 45

WEYMOUTH 1

McBurnie 74

WEYMOUTH were sent to a fifth consecutive Vanarama National League South loss as promotion-chasing Oxford City claimed a 3-1 win.

Josh Parker’s double either side of Canice Carroll’s goal gave City a commanding 3-0 lead before Weymouth skipper Xander McBurnie stabbed home a consolation.

The Terras were forced to play in a yellow Oxford strip after a kit mix-up, compounding their day.

Weymouth boss Bobby Wilkinson made just one change to the starting line-up that began the 2-1 loss to Chelmsford City last time out.

READ MORE: Oxford City 3-1 Weymouth - how it happened

Scott Rees missed out through suspension, so new signing Harvey Slade came straight in for his debut after joining from Bashley in midweek.

On the bench, under-23 star Frankie Monk made way for the returning Hari McCoy.

Matt Buse, Luke Nippard, Tom Blair and Will Dawes all kept their places in the dugout.

In a sign of Weymouth’s afternoon to come, the Terras turned up with their usual away kit only to then realise it clashed with the blue and white hoops of City.

Kick-off was then delayed while Weymouth slipped into Oxford City’s yellow change strip from the 2015/16 season.

It was the third high-profile error from the Terras after a teamsheet mix-up prevented Dan Matsuzaka from playing in the 3-1 loss to Taunton.

Before that, the Terras turned up late to Dulwich Hamlet, whose ground is notoriously difficult to get to.

When play began, City were utterly dominant, constructing wave after wave of attacks.

Matsuzaka was penalised for handball and Josh Ashby’s free-kick was glanced just wide by full-back Lewis Miccio.

Chris Francis and Luke Jenkins then made important blocks for the Terras as City pressure grew in the face of stout resistance.

When City did breach Weymouth’s defence, Parker’s goal was disallowed for offside after his fine finish past Zaki Oualah.

Francis had to make a goalline clearance to repel Lewis Coyle’s drilled shot on 32 minutes but it came as no surprise when City took the lead seconds later.

Aaron Williams-Bushell’s cross outfoxed the Weymouth defence and Parker was there to head past Oualah under pressure for 1-0.

Dorset Echo: Weymouth go 1-0 down against Oxford CityWeymouth go 1-0 down against Oxford City (Image: MARK PROBIN)

Weymouth improved after the goal and had their first shot in the 36th minute through Rose’s deflected effort.

Rose then sent a tame shot at Ben Dudzinksi for Weymouth’s first on-target attempt, but City always carried the greater threat and duly went 2-0 up on the cusp of half-time when Carroll rose highest to head home Ashby’s corner.

Wilkinson threw on Blair and Dawes for Keelan O’Connell and Slade but Weymouth still had little impact in attack.

Instead, Parker rattled the post at the other end and Ashby was thwarted by Oualah from the follow-up as City sniffed a third.

And they only had to wait until the 62nd minute when Parker was afforded oceans of space to head a second past Oualah from Ashby’s delivery.

Weymouth did at least show some spirit in the final quarter of the game and claimed a consolation goal.

Rose’s effort was scrambled off the line but McBurnie pounced on the loose ball to score his first Weymouth goal in his 35th appearance.

Dorset Echo: Xander McBurnie scored his first Weymouth goalXander McBurnie scored his first Weymouth goal (Image: MARK PROBIN)

Weymouth were energised by the goal as McBurnie had an effort deflected wide and Dawes sent a stinging drive into the gloves of Dudzinski.

Weymouth came forward more readily than the first half and won a corner with four minutes to go, only for City to deal comfortably with it.

Weymouth cries for handball from Tom Bearwish’s shot were ignored on 88 minutes and in stoppage-time Blair also warmed the palms of Dudzinski.

However, it was far too little too late for the Terras, who were consigned to a fifth-straight league loss.

Weymouth return to action against Hampton & Richmond at home on Tuesday (7.45pm).

Oxford: Dudzinski, Miccio, Ashby, Burley, Coyle, Fleet, Mceachran, Parker, Parker, Potter, Williams-Bushell, Carroll. Subs not used: Iaciofano, Lolos, Carbon, Humphrey-Ewers, Grantham.

Terras: Oualah, Jenkins, McBurnie, Matsuzaka, Carlyle, O'Connell (Blair 46), Francis, Slade (Dawes 46), Bearwish, Rose, Ash. Subs not used: Nippard, Buse, H McCoy.

Referee: Daniel Lamport