Oxford United Under-18s picked up three points on the road this weekend, beating Gillingham 5-3 in a captivating affair.
End to end would be an understatement of Saturday’s fixture. Jack Lee got two within fifteen minutes on his return, followed up by a Mo Missanga brace and finally, Kesh Purcell wrapped things up at the end for Oxford. It wasn’t all plan sailing however, with the hosts scoring three themselves, but wasn’t enough for them to concern Oxford.
The first good news of the day came with the starting lineup, a return to the eleven for Jack Lee after his injury that kept him out since May.
With his return, came a perfect start for Oxford and Jack. The number nine kicked things off in the third minute with oxford’s opener. He then doubled the lead twelve minutes later, stealing the ball from the keeper and finishing into an empty net.
The Gills got one back on the half an hour mark, and despite it being against the run of play, the game became a lot more tense after that.
The second half continued where the first left off, with both sides creating several chances.
Mo Missanga restored Oxfords two goal lead in the 64th minute with a really well taken strike on his weak foot, that smashed into the side netting.
He then went on to get a second, fifteen minutes later. The winger was causing all kinds of problems throughout the game and this time he broke away on a blistering counter attack, before slotting it past the keeper.
Gillingham replied quickly in the 81st minute, making it 4-2 and keeping themselves in it with ten to play.
Kesh Purcell continued his excellent week, putting the game to bed in stoppage time with a beautiful strike to beat the keeper.
Gillingham managed a consolation goal from another corner in injury time to make it 5-3.
The win is Oxford’s first away win of the season, and concludes an excellent week for the squad, picking up three wins in three different competitions.
Oxford United: Jones, Frederick, Gardner, Collins, Cramond, Doyle, Abolade (M. Vaughan 77’), Palmer-Flynn (H. Vaughan 90+2) , Lee (Purcell 45’), Appiah, Missanga
Unused subs: Osborne, Busby
