Half-Time Report: Oxford United on course for Brentford upset in League Cup

League Two side Oxford United have stunned Championship opposition Brentford with a 3-0 half-time lead in tonight's first-round League Cup affair at Griffin Park.

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Visiting coach Michael Appleton could have barely wished for a better start for his troops as they raced into a three-goal lead inside 11 minutes.

First, Andreas Bjelland's botched clearance was pounced on by Liam Sercombe, who drilled home from the edge of the box, before Danny Hylton added a second.

Minutes later, United took a big step toward round two as Kemar Roofe struck from 40 yards to stun the home fans into silence at Griffin Park.

There was no let-up from the underdogs as they chased a fourth, and almost found one when Ryan Taylor's volley was tipped over the bar by Jack Bonham midway through the half.

The Bees eventually developed a foothold but Marinus Dijkhuizen's men were unable to hit back before the break as their second-round hopes looked gloomy.