United follow up Wolves win with Reading draw
Oxford United’s Development Squad enjoyed another encouraging workout today as they drew 2-2 away at Reading.Having beaten Wolves in a friendly yesterday there was a completely different outfield ten in front of Max Crocombe for the U’s this afternoon, with a further six trialists given a chance to impress.
Having fallen behind early on to a Liam Kelly goal the U’s equalised when Josh Shama, playing his first game since an ankle injury, crossed and one of the trialists guided the ball home. Josh Ruffels then gave United a 2-1 lead at the break with a free kick into the top corner.
Tarique Fosu made it 2-2 for the Royals early in the second half and the score remained at 2-2 despite chances at both ends. Micky Lewis was delighted once again with the effort his side put in:
“We knew it would be tough to play Wolves and Reading on successive days but it was a chance to look at a lot of trialists in a short space of time and also for players to stay sharp and get game time.
“As with yesterday’s game I thought we did really well and Jon Meades and Josh Ruffels had strong games. A special word for Sam Long as well - he played yesterday and came along today just as cover but ended up playing the last hour because of an injury. He played well and showed once again what a good character he has.
“Both games this week have been very competitive and played in the right spirit and I think we have done a lot of good things in both matches.”
United
Crocombe, Welch-Hayes, Trialist, Trialist (S.Long), Meades, Trialist, Ruffels, Trialist, Shama, Hawtin, Trialist