Oxford United U18s drew 3-3 with Forest Green Rovers in the Youth Alliance League this morning.
United have been flying of late, and didn’t show signs of slowing down from the off; Aidan Elliott-Wheeler had put Oxford ahead within a minute, dribbling through the forest of green shirts and finishing tidily.
But the U’s weren’t out of the woods. The visitors reacted well and found a leveller in the seventh minute when Richard Gerrard gave the ball away deep in the United half and Oliver Sully equalised.
Sully thought he has his second five minutes later as he tucked home a rebound after Fraser Barnsley could only parry a volleyed effort, but the flag went up for offside. It was United however, who took the lead again.
In the 24th minute Elliott-Wheeler whipped in a free kick from the left and George Franklin nodded home unmarked for his second goal in as many games.
It was end-to-end stuff as the visitors went straight down the other end to level for a second time in the first half. Sully headed home his second at the back post from a looping cross.
Then, Elliott-Wheeler got his second of the day, taking down a big switch beautifully, beating one defender and finishing confidently to score a fantastic goal, and the U’s went into the break 3-2 up after a frantic first half.
United should have been 4-2 up five minutes after the restart, as Kasway Burton was put through on goal. He tried to slide the ball to Elliott-Wheeler, whose shot was saved well by Francesco Barberis, but the former really should have finished himself.
Enrique Tiamuna replaced Alex Groom before Forest Green found an equaliser.
A free kick was crossed in from the left and Franklin headed the ball into his own net.
Richard Gerrard and Josh Johnson then came off with knocks, replaced by Rashane Maxwell and Josh Iheanacho.
Barnsley made two vital diving saves in the last 15, and Elliott-Wheeler so nearly completed his hattrick, smashing the crossbar from close range, but ultimately United couldn't find a winner.
The U18s now look ahead to Cambridge United away next Saturday in the semi final of the Youth Alliance League.