KANE Hemmings was happy to take his chance as new manager Pep Clotet watched Oxford United in action for the first time.

The striker’s goal came just after Joe Rothwell’s opener, while Wes Thomas was also on target as pre-season began with a 3-0 win against Oxford City in front of a record 2,276-strong crowd at a revamped Court Place Farm.

Clotet has spent his first week in charge at United observing his new squad, before taking a more hands-on approach at the training camp in Portugal this week.

And while it was only a tap-in during a friendly on the new 3G pitch, Hemmings was delighted to get up and running in front of goal.

He said: “It’s a chance to impress for everyone.

“The new gaffer will have the way he wants to play and it’s a chance to make your mark.

“We’ve not seen much of him because he’s been watching, but I’m looking forward to seeing what his ideas are in the next few days.

“It’s a good workout and stands us in good stead going to Portugal.”

Hemmings’s goal came virtually from City’s kick-off following Rothwell’s terrific 11th-minute strike.

The hosts were pushed backwards and a defensive error saw Sam Shaban win the ball in the box.

As a triallist he could easily have taken the selfish option in a bid to make the most of his run-out, but to Hemmings’s relief the former Fanborough striker squared the ball.

“If I was in his shoes maybe I would’ve done a different thing,” Hemmings said.

“But he picked out the right pass and it was an easy finish in the end.”

He added: “There were a couple of moments I thought I might have needed a defibrillator, but I felt alright.

“This game was everything we could’ve asked for – a couple of goals, clean sheet and a clean bill of health.”

With Clotet observing from the stands, Derek Fazackerley took charge with fellow assistant head coach Chris Allen.

He said: “It’s always nice to get away to a winning start, but in truth it’s also about seeing where the players are fitness-wise in terms of how much more we think they need to do.

“There were some good signs there – good spirit and intensity. Certainly with it being the first game of pre-season it was a good effort.”