PREVIEW Oxford United v Chelsea U21

U's welcome Blues in Bristol Street Motors Trophy

7 November 2023

Oxford United welcome Chelsea Under 21s to the Kassam Stadium this evening in their final group game of the Bristol Street Motors Trophy (7pm)

A win would see either side go through to the knock-out stages from Group N and with reduced prices in all areas it’s a great chance to come along and see United take on the youngsters from Stamford Bridge.

TEAM NEWS
United made changes for the FA Cup win over Maidenhead and may tweak that side as they try to balance cup competitions with a busy league schedule.

"We know that Chelsea will be a good team" defender Stephan Negru told iFollow. "They are obviously all very talented players but we are playing well and we want to win any game we play in."

Negru returned to the side on Saturday and believes that competition for places is one of the reasons behind United's strong start to the season.

"One hundred percent" he said. "I loved being out there again on Saturday but there are a lot of very good player pushing to start each week. Once you get a chance, whether that's in the league or the cup games, you want to play well and try to keep your place. That's great for the team and drives us all on to do well."

See the full interview and the whole game LIVE in iFollow.

THE OPPOSITION
Former AFC Wimbledon boss Mark Robinson is the man in charge of the Chelsea youngsters and he is excited by their attacking options. A 4-1 win over Dinamo Zagreb last week underlined their potential as Robinson said:

"We have great forwards across the Academy this season and, as we are a development squad, you look at the players at your disposal and do everything to play a formation that can develop the players but also be competitive. This does mean that players then fight for single positions, like they will have to in the next stage of their career. That balance is important."

TICKETS
Tickets are available online HERE or by calling 01865 337533

Please note that the game kicks off at the earlier time of 7pm.

PRICES

Adults	£12
Over 65	£7
18-24	£7
Under 18	£5
Under 7	£2

The Programme

Bristol Street Motors Group N standings

	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	P
MK Dons	2	2	0	0	5	1	4	6
Oxford United	2	1	0	1	3	2	1	3
Chelsea U21	2	0	1	1	3	6	-3	2
Northampton Town	2	0	1	1	3	5	-2	1

PARKING AND ACCESS

There are around 2,000 free parking spaces at the stadium but we ask everyone to arrive early and park legally.

The Football Special Buses are not running this evening

The gate behind the Planet IT North Stand will be OPEN so pedestrians can move from one end of the ground to the other behind that stand.

MATCH GUIDES

Family Guide

Visiting Fans Guide

Disabled Supporters Guide

CLUB SHOP

The Club Shop has stock of all three new kits plus a huge range of leisure and training wear. Make sure you call in before the game, or take a look online HERE

COVERAGE
The game will be streamed live in iFollow with commentary from our friends at BBC Oxford Sport.

You can follow the whole game on Twitter through @OUFCOfficial and we will have a full match report and Gallery right here on the final whistle.

Match Reports

U's Go Through in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy

Oxford United 5 Chelsea U21 0. Full time report

7 November 2023

Oxford United started life after Liam Manning with progress in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy this evening as a 5-0 win over Chelsea Under 21s took them through to the knock-out stages in convincing fashion.

Manning’s departure for Bristol City left Craig Short and Chris Hackett in charge of a much-changed side, but two early goals from Sonny Perkins and Jordan Thorniley paved the way for United to go through with their second win in the group, with Josh Murphy sending them on their way with two goals in the second half before Harris crashed in a fifth to cap a fine night's work.

Chelsea have a side packed full with young internationals, but it was two of United’s who took centre stage before the break, giving them a two-goal cushion and deflating the Stamford Bridge under 21s.

James Beadle, England’s under-21 goalkeeper, made an outstanding save from Somto Boniface before England under-20 striker Perkins put his side into the lead.

Murphy, excellent on the right wing, made the goal with a peach of a cross that left Leeds loanee Perkins with an open goal to fire home his first goal for the U’s after 15 minutes.

Three minutes later the lead was doubled, as Wales under-21 captain Fin Stevens floated in a cross from the other flank and this time centre-back Thorniley netted at the second attempt.

With Gatlin O'Donkor also having a good game up front, the youthful promise was very clear, but two more experienced heads, Alex Gorrin and James Henry, will also be pleased with their return to action, the former for his first start in over 12 long months and Henry making his first appearance of the season after injury.

Chelsea were neat on the ball and quick on the break, but United created the better chances on the night, with Perkins and O'Donkor going close in the second half and Murphy, the outstanding player on the night, racing away to score his first of the season after 71 minutes to make it 3-0.

Sub Harris drew a fine save from keeper Eddie Beach soon after, before Murphy made it four when sub Tyler Goodrham picked him out with another great cross and he danced his way past Beach to pass the ball merrily into the open net.

Short and Hackett - we have had Managers with those as their main tactics - will have been delighted, not just with the result but with the attitude and commitment from every player out there. The icing on the cake came when Leo Snowden emerged from the bench after 82 minutes to become the youngest player ever to play for the club, at 15 years and 157 days.

Harris then thumped home a fifth from close range and United were safely through, with a possible Wembley final starting to peek over the distant horizon.

chelsea harris goal (2).jpg