Oxford United U18s were knocked out in injury time of the U18 PDL Cup semi-final after a thrilling 3-2 defeat to Millwall this afternoon.
The U's went behind early on but turned it round before half time thanks to goals from Harrison Bradney and Josh Holton. Millwall came back into the game with a leveller twenty minutes before time, and then broke Yellow hearts with a winner at the death.
Having gone undefeated in the tournament thus far, the young U’s were coming up against a strong Millwall side who had won four from four.
Millwall were coming into this game following an FA Youth Cup quarter-final win against Chelsea and started positively. They went 1-0 up after just three minutes with a cross that was delivered to the back post, where Maciocia finished it first time.
The young U’s then replied sharply, equalizing just seven minutes later with Leo Snowden playing a beautiful through ball to Harrison Bradney, who hit a powerful finish into the bottom left corner to make it 1-1.
The U’s then enjoyed their best period of the game, creating some big chances and remaining firm in defence with Harrison Mole making some crucial challenges. United then took an important lead in the 35th minute when Aidan Elliott-Wheeler set up Josh Holton who fired them ahead to give the U’s a 2-1 lead at the break.
Both sides started creating more chances, but none could find the back of the net, until an exceptional freekick from Millwall’s Jack Howland in the 68th minute gave them an important equalizer.
Neither team could gain control towards the back end of the game, until Millwall’s Heywood caused heartbreak, scoring in the 90th minute with a clever finish and sent Millwall through to the finals of the U18 PDL Cup.
Coach Pablo Haysham said: “The boys showed a lot of determination today, obviously bowing out of the cup is a disappointment, especially with it being from such a late goal, but to comeback how we did from going down after three minutes was really impressive. We controlled the game well at times, taking the lead through a couple of really well worked goals, but unfortunately we just couldn’t keep the lead and lost it right at the end.”
UNITED
Marriot, Lacey, Mole, Bradney (Cooper 72) , Smith, Took-Oxley (C), Burton, Holton (Brenan 63), Snowden, Elliot-Wheeler, Mcintyre
Unused Subs
Maxwell, Griffiths, Travin
Report by Ollie Chevallier
