Oxford United Development Team draw 0-0 at Reading
United’s Development Squad drew 0-0 at Championship side Reading this afternoon.
The Development Squad is a step introduced this season to help young players through from the youth set up into the first team, and it also allows one or two senior players to gain match fitness.
Today it was Max Crocombe and Jon Meades who got their opportunity, both playing 90 minutes in their second games since injury. With regulars Aidan Hawtin and Callum O'Dowda both missing through injury United took a look at two trialists while youth teamers Freddie Grant, Josh Ashby and James Roberts all impressed alongside Kenzer Lee, David Lynn, Josh Shama and Ty Marsh.
Mickey Lewis told us:
“It was good to have those two playing again. We don’t usually single players out but Max was outstanding in the first half today. He made some unbelievable saves and kept us in the game and then in the second half we played better as a team.
“Meadesy did well in midfield and defensively we looked good. Reading had a strong side out but that is what you want to see in these games. Our lads have learned so much from playing these games this season. They worked hard and should be very pleased with their performance.”
United
Crocombe, Grant, Lee, Trialist, Trialist, Ashby, Meades, Lynn, Shama, Roberts, Marsh.