Ty at the double as United beat the Railwaymen. Full time report
Ty Marsh struck twice as United's young guns beat Didcot Town 3-0 tonight. A goal in each half from Marsh and a strike from trialist Dylan McGlade eased The U's past a spirited Railwaymen side at Loop Meadow.
The youthful U’s, for whom only captain Scott Davies was over 21, started very strongly with the hard running Aiden Hawtin impressing on the right wing. Hawtin, Marsh and centre-half Marvin Ekpiteta all had chances in the first five minutes, Ekpiteta seeing the best of them well saved when former United youngster Gareth Tucker got down smartly to save his far post header.
It took 13 minutes for United to find a way through the over-worked Didcot defence. The goal came as a result of a jinking run by left-winger McGlade, the trialist from Middlesbrough playing his second game of pre-season. Having bamboozled the right side of the home defence he chipped an inviting ball across the six yard box for Marsh to power a header past the helpless Tucker.
Didcot did get the ball into the United net after 15 minutes only to have Harry Hall’s header harshly ruled out for offside before Marsh clipped the top of Tucker’s bar with a 19th minute shot on the turn for the U’s.
The second goal came on 27 and was a fine solo goal from McGlade. The diminutive winger has superb close control and the ball appeared tied to his boot as he swerved, slalomed and jinked his way into the Didcot box. Wary defenders stood off him and that gave him the space to slam a firm right footed drive past Tucker to make it 2-0.
Crocombe made a fine save on 43 as a Mike McKirnan free kick hammered through a flimsy United wall and Didcot worked hard all night as they prepare for a season that start a week on Saturday.
They were grateful to their left hand post as Hawtin smashed a shot against it early in the second half while the impressive Tucker made a good save from the hard working Davies just before the hour mark.
United had dominated much of the game and on 71 were 3-0 up as sub Greg Hackett did well on the right and passed through for Marsh to take a touch then drill the ball across Tucker, not having much luck, and into the far corner to make it 3-0.
With youth team strikers Jamie Calvin and James Roberts playing the last 15 minutes it was a very young side indeed that ended the game, but still United kept their rhythm and shape, pleasing on the eye and playing with a real purpose in a game played in an excellent spirit.
An excellent performance full of youthful promise for the future.
United
Crocombe, Bevans, Ekpiteta, Lee, Lynn, Hawtin (Hackett 62), Davies (Ashby 62), Ruffels, McGlade, Shama (Calvin 74), Marsh (Roberts 74)
Subs: Hill, O’Dowda