BILLY Bodin’s first-half double helped Oxford United beat Cheltenham Town 4-1 in today’s behind closed doors friendly.

The winger’s goals came either side of an equaliser from former U’s defender Charlie Raglan as the hosts went in at the break 2-1 up.

Young strikers Adam Smith and Gatlin O’Donkor were introduced after half-time and helped themselves to goals on a useful afternoon for United.

The U’s had plenty of experience in their starting line-up, with Anthony Forde, John Mousinho and Jordan Thorniley joining 17-year-old James Golding in the back four.

Behind them was Jack Stevens, still building up fitness following his bout of glandular fever late last year.

Herbie Kane, serving a three-match suspension in Sky Bet League One, was allowed to play in the friendly and joined the fit-again Jamie Hanson and Ben Davies in midfield.

Sam Winnall was flanked by Dan Agyei and Bodin in the front three, while Joel Cooper is isolating due to Covid protocols so was unavailable.

The wide players combined to give United the lead early on, as Bodin headed in Agyei’s cross, only for Cheltenham to restore parity as Raglan rose to nod past Stevens.

The U’s put the visitors’ goal under plenty of pressure, with chances for Davis and Winnall.

Agyei was particularly lively and hit the woodwork twice, as well as drawing a save from the Cheltenham goalkeeper.

The forward claimed his second assist ten minutes before the break, cutting another cross back to Bodin to volley home his second of the afternoon .

United made a host of changes in the second half, with Luke McNally, Clinton Nosakhare and Mac Masters joining Smith and O’Donkor as the replacements.

Bodin and Agyei got useful 90 minutes in the tank, while the young guns got on the scoresheet.

Smith made it 3-1 following good work from Davis and Winnall, before turning provider as O’Donkor headed home his fellow teenager’s cross.

United: Stevens, Forde, Mousinho (Nosakhare), Thorniley (McNally), Golding, Hanson (Smith), Kane (Masters) Davis, Agyei, Winnall (O’Donkor), Bodin.