Oxford United’s Under 21 side failed to capitalise on a promising first half as they were beaten 2-0 by Bristol City at the Oxford Sports Park this afternoon.
The U’s had enough chances before the break to win a very open game but a defensive error followed by a long range strike from the visitors left them empty handed despite a bright 90 minutes in the Autumn sun.
The first half saw Dylan Asonganyi, playing on the right of a three man attack having been on the bench for the first team the night before, go close with two chances, the second a header from a cross from left-back Michael Elechi while the hard-working Tyler Goodrham also went wide with a decent effort and Fabio Lopes caused problems on the left for the visiting defence.
Kyran Lofthouse, another involved for the first team last night and captaining the side today, did his best to drive his team forward. However at the other end it took terrific blocks from centre-halves Sam Johnson and Nico Jones to keep it scoreless at the interval
Keeper Kie Plumley needed to underline his potential with an astonising double save before City started to create the clearer chances after the break, striking the bar and post before a loose ball allowed Sam Bell to run clear and score the opener.
United battled back, Jack Stevens having a good effort and Slavi Spasov looking sharp in attack but a powerful strike from distance by James Morton flew past Plumley from the edge of the box to double City’s advantage and United could find no way through for even a consolation.
A decent if frustrating performance then but on another day those chances go in and United take something from the game.
United
Plumley, Lofthouse, Johnson, Jones, Elechi, Chambers-Parillon, Asonganyi, Stevens, Lopes, Spasov, Goodrham