Oxford United’s under 18s picked up a draw in an eventful EFL Youth Alliance League game at AFC Wimbledon on Saturday.
1-0 down inside the first minutes, United hit back through Tyler Goodrham but were 3-1 down at the break before a Ryan Crooks goal and an own goal got them back on level terms - even more remarkable given that they were down to ten men for the second half after a red card for Nico Jones.
Coach Leon Blackmore-Such told us:
“It was a great game to watch. We had Max Harris pull out in the warm up with a thumb injury and then went behind to the first attack of the game. We were level straight from the kick-off but got caught by two set pieces to be 3-1 down at half time.
“Nico’s red card was when a man just rolled him and they stumbled over, but it left us a man down and the attitude we showed after the break was fantastic. The lads worked so hard and deserved to get back into it. Ryan Crooks scored a really good goal for 3-2 and then right at the end of the game he got in again. Hot a cross-shot and their lad sliced it into his own goal for 3-3”
See the full report and highlights in the video above
The Under 18s are in action once more on Tuesday afternoon when they welcome Bournemouth to Abingdon United. Kick off is at midday and admission is free.
United
Evans, Sampford, Trialist, Jones, Trialist (Ferguson), Chambers-Parillon, Lopes, Goodrham (Edwards), Crooks, Lofthouse, Stevens (Coe)