Young U's set the tone with derby win
Oxford United’s Under 18 set the tone for the forthcoming Johnstone’s Paint Trophy meeting with a 3-1 win over Swindon Town on Saturday.
Goals from Drew Ricketts, Graham Bryan and George Jeacock secured an impressive win for the young U’s, as Leon Blackmore-Such told us:
“It was a fairly even start. We kept possession nicely and Swindon did the dame but they hadn't really been a threat to us until a diagonal ball over our full-back set them free and they went a goal up.
"That was the score at half time but we had created chances and done OK. We brought on Luke Hastings and he had a very positive effect with some good runs and clever play and his introduction probably made the difference. Drew Ricketts went up for a set piece and made it 1-1 from a good free kick from Jordan Graham. We had been on the front foot for ten minutes before that but then for some reason eased up when we got level and we almost let them back into the game when we conceded a penalty.
“Jack Stevens had another very good game and made some good saves and he managed to save the penalty as well. From then on we were in control and went 2-1 in front when Jordan Graham and George Jeacock linked up well and George fired home for another goal in a productive season so far.
"Five minutes later Luke Hastings did well and crossed to the far post where Graham Bryan made it 3-1.
"It was a proper derby game and there were a few hot-headed moments and a few heavy challenges; both sides know what the fixture means. It made it really competitive and there was an edge to the game so to win was another important step for the lads in what was a very good team performance.”
United
Stevens, Diaz-Benitez (Tuttle 89), Ricketts, McCormack, C Hawtin, Humphries, Hayden, Graham, Bryan (Hartley 85), Jeacock, Napa (Hastings 46)
The under 18s are next in action in the cup this Tuesday morning at 11.30 at Abingdon United.
Our thanks to Terry Winter for the photography