It was a busy day at the Oxford United Training ground as the under 23s and under 17s were both in action this afternoon, ahead of the under 18s fixture away to Colchester this evening in the FA Youth Cup.
The under 23 game saw everyone in the senior squad get 45 mins after their weekend lay off while the U17 game saw a young side play an Indonesia Select XI in a game beamed live across Indonesia and Asia.
The U23 game ended 2-2 with Jamie Mackie and Matty Taylor scoring for the U's while the U16s finished 1-0 winners over Garuda Select at the training ground.
Academy Manager Dan Harris told us:
"It's been a really positive day across the club with lots going on. There was a behind-closed-doors games for some of the senior players to get minutes in their legs and a game here for our U15s and U16s as we begin to look at the evaluation process as we look at scholarships for next year.
"What a day like today highlights is the opportunities that there are at a club like this. You get to go and be challenged in lots of different ways, from playing a touring team from Indonesia, an under 23s fixture against a Championship side or be involved in the FA Youth Cup so there's lots of opportunities for young players here at the Football Club. What we are looking for is these young men to step into these opportunities and understand that these are all little points along their milestones that will help them hopefully enjoy a long career in the game."
In a busy day for the Oxford United Academy, the U's Under 18s are also in action at Colchester United this evening in the FA Youth Cup.