United's reserves, fielding triallist John Goddard from Reading and a number of the side's successful under-18 players, started off on the front foot against League 1 Colchester United at Didcot Town's npower Loop Meadow in this evening's Football Combination fixture.
Oxford dominated possession in the early stages, and Tyrone Marsh forced Mark Cousins into a save in the 6th minute. Colchester's early efforts were more troubling to the netting behind the goal than they were to Wayne Brown. As the half wore on the visitors gradually began to assert themselves and United were being pegged back.
It wasn't until the 27th minute that United created their next clear-cut chance. A mazy run by Deane Smalley along the byline bamboozled the Colchester defence and the striker's cut back was met full on by Josh Payne, steaming in at the edge of the penalty area. Unfortunately Payne was unable to keep his shot down and the ball flew narrowly over. Two minutes later Marsh tested Cousins with a long-range shot that the keeper saw all the way.
In the 33rd minute Asa Hall made an interception in the centre of the field and burst forward. He decided to forgo the option to shoot and instead played in Smalley. Unfortunately the striker's shot was straight at Cousins who then had to be alert to palm over a cross from Lewis Alderman that drifted too close to the goal.
United fell behind in the 50th minute from a Colchester corner. The ball bobbled around the U's six-yard box and the failure to clear proved costly as Tom Aldred was on hand to poke the ball home from close range. Four minutes later the visitors doubled their lead when Craig Arnold found himself clear from a Karl Duguid through ball and he had no trouble sliding the ball past Brown.
United were handed a lifeline in the 66th minute when Alderman was brought down in the penalty area. Josh Payne stepped up to plant the spot-kick firmly into the net, sending Cousins the wrong way.
Payne came close to levelling the scores eight minutes from time with a vicious drive from 20 yards, but his shot took a nick from a Colchester boot and deflected inches wide. Franks then headed a deep cross from Marsh straight at Cousins as the U's searched for an equaliser.
Colchester were awarded a penalty in the 88th minute when Brown brought down Colchester's best player Freddie Ladapo. The flying winger picked himself up to take the kick himself and make the game safe.
United: Brown, Alderman, Worley, Kinniburgh, Lynn, Goddard, Payne, A Hall, Franks, Smalley, Marsh
Att: 61
