Oxford United Under-18s beat Cheltenham 1-0 on Tuesday to pick up three points in their first group stage game of the League Cup.
A well worked free kick routine finished by Kesh Purcell was the difference between the two sides in the midweek clash.
Niall Keown made four changes to the eleven to face Cheltenham, with Harry Jones, Matt Mainwaring, Tyler Andrews and Ethan Dickinson-Annell all getting their first starts of the season.
It was the visitors who started on the front foot, having an early chance go amiss. Jones was then brought into action to make a strong one-on-one save to keep it level.
Purcell grabbed his opportunity to open the scoring on the half hour mark. A well delivered free kick from Kevin Appiah was met by Kesh’s volley at the near post and helped on its way into the back of the net.
The number nine nearly got a second just six minutes later, however his headed effort was denied by the crossbar.
Cheltenham managed to get more into the game in the second half and control the ball at times, however the first chance of the half fell to Mainwairing. The full back found himself in a great position, but his effort was well-saved by the Cheltenham keeper.
Purcell was denied a second time by the woodwork in the 71st minute when his free kick rattled the post. The ball then fell to Andrews on the edge of the box, who’s rocket smashed into the crossbar.
Cheltenham continued to push for an equaliser and get something out of the game. They came closest in the fifth minute of injury time, but Harry Jones stood tall and made a match-winning save from point blank range to secure the clean sheet and all three points for United.
The Young U’s return to league action this weekend as they make the trip west to Bristol Rovers.
Oxford United: Jones, Mainwaring, Osborne (Chitedze 45’), Folarin, Griffith (Payne 45’), Appiah (Palmer-Flynn 45’), Dickinson-Annell, Andrews, Purcell, Dourish (Kriisa 67’), Adesanya (M. Vaughan 45’)
