Oxford United Under-21s beat Stockport County 3-0 this week to make it four wins from four in competitive football.
Three goals from three different goal scorers gave Oxford a comfortable three points over Stockport County, making it two wins from two in the league.
The Under-21s came into this one on the back of a good win in the Cup against MK Dons the week before and were looking to return to league football with a bang.
The squad received a boost with the inclusion of first team players Ciaron Brown and Gatlin O’Donkor in the starting XI.
Oxford started on the front foot and got an early opener after a dominating start. It took only 18 minutes for Gatlin to get his name onto the scoresheet after his relentless pressure on the Stockport defence.
The lead was then doubled just five minutes later through a fine finish from Calum Doyle. The midfielder got his first of the season with a strike into the bottom corner that left the Stockport keeper with no chance.
A dominating first 45 from United put them two ahead at the break and in a strong position going into the second half.
A couple changes from both sides gave Stockport chances to get back into the contest, but they were denied by the crossbar for a second time.
Mo Missanga came off the bench and came close on two occasions down the left, however both came to nothing for the winger.
Mubarak Abolade did well to shield the ball before crossing it into the danger zone to find Richard McIntyre at the back post who produced a peach of a goal to make it 3-0.
The fullback curled it beautifully into the side netting to put the game to bed and wrap up all three points for Oxford.
Stockport nearly got a consolation goal at the death, but were denied by a commanding Ajae Patel, who earned himself a valuable clean sheet in the end.
The win continues the Under-21s unbeaten start to competitive football with four wins from four in all competitions now.
Oxford United: Patel, Mole, McIntyre (Cramond 76’), Doyle (Palmer-Flynn 76’), Lacey, Brown (Missanga 45’), Elliot-Wheeler, Holton, O’Donkor (Abolade 53’), Snowden, Burton
Unused sub: Jackson
