Canice earns Ireland call up as well
There was a mixed bag of results for Oxford United’s youngsters yesterday. A youthful Oxford United Development side were beaten 4-0 at Reading but the under 18s then enjoyed a fine 6-2 win at Abingdon United.
In the afternoon kick-off the U’s again took a look at trialists Udanta Singh and Gaetan Lenoir in a young side which Coach Chris Allen believes will learn from the experience:
“It was a useful game in many ways and a good experience for the younger players. We had good periods of the game but the key thing to take away from it was when to look to keep possession against a good side like Reading and when to go long. For the forwards it was about learning a little about better movement in behind the defence, but we will look at the video and work on that.
“You use games like this to learn and develop and there were plenty of positives to take from the 90 minutes.”
There was good news for defender Canice Carroll after the game when he was called up to a Republic of Ireland under 17 training camp in Birmingham between 9th and 12th August.
United
Crocombe, Hawtin, Cundy, Carroll, Grant, Singh, Ashby, George, Humphreys, Lenoir, Roberts
Later in the day the under 18’s won their first game at Abingdon United, their new home for the season. Two goals from Jordan Graham and strikes from Miles Welch-Hayes, George Jeacock, Luke Hastings and Joe Hartley gave them a 6-2 win over their hosts which pleased Coach Leon Blackmore-Such:
“It was an induction to get the lads used to the new surroundings because youth team games will be played at Abingdon United this season. We wanted them to get used to the playing surface and the stands and ground. Up against a men’s side it is never going to be easy but we started really well and the first 25 minutes had all the energy and and intensity that we had asked for. We were 2-0 up but then got caught by two set pieces before half time to make it 2-2.
“We reminded the lads of the need for tempo and for the centre-half and goalkeeper to be a little bit more dominant and the second half was very good. We took our chances and won 6-2 so it was a good evening.
“We looked as though we had settled in nicely and we will look forward to playing at Abingdon when our season kicks off on Saturday."
United
Stevens, C Hawtin, McCormack, Diaz-Benitez, Welch-Hayes, Graham, Humphries, Hayden, Hartley, Hastings, Jeacock