United's under-18s get a vital point away to Bournemouth
AFC Bournemouth 1 Oxford United 1
Saturday 23rd November
United’s under-18s were in action on Saturday with a visit to second-placed AFC Bournemouth. The game finished with honours even, leaving United still ahead of the Cherries on goal difference but dropping to second place behind Exeter at the top of the South West Youth Alliance table.
Under-18s manager Chris Allen told us:
“Bournemouth play good stuff, and we play good stuff as we all know so it had the makings of a good game, which it was. It was even-stevens throughout the first half; in the second half we might have just edged it in terms of chances when we hit the post a couple of times and hit the crossbar.
“I think the draw was a fair result but we could have gone on to win it with a bit more clinical finishing.
“James Roberts scored our goal after a great ball from Greg Hackett, who was causing all sorts of problems down the right, getting on the outside and getting crosses into the box. His cross was met by Robbo with a far-post header which went over the line - the linesman saw it and credited us for that. But again, we could have won it. We had a lot of chances and a lot of play in their final third but we just needed that second goal.
“We’re second on goal difference and Bournemouth are now third. We’ve got Bristol Rovers next week and they’re up there so that should be another good game. That one again will be about their development and as long as they keep learning and building on their performances then they’re giving themselves a great opportunity.”