U's through in FA Youth Cup
Oxford United's under 18s went through to the second round of the FA Youth Cup with a comprehensive 6-0 win over Kidlington at Abingdon United this evening. First half goals from Canice Carroll and Shandon Baptiste plus second half strikes from Seth Humphries, Graham Bryan and two from Luke Hastings saw United through to face either Exeter City or Bournemouth FC in the next round
After an early scare when Declan Allen-Stokes headed a first minute free kick just wide for Kidlington, United settled into their fluent passing style and the impressive Humphries blazed a 30 yard effort just over the bar with the first opening for the U’s. Jordan Graham and Malachi Napa both went close and on 11 minutes the U’s were in front when Graham and Napa teed up Carroll for a well struck effort to make it 1-0.
The hard-running George Jeacock robbed a dawdling defender but dragged his shot wide before two efforts were disallowed for fouls as United did their best to double the lead. There was a constant danger that Kidlington could break away and level, but the alert Drew Ricketts slid in to block a dangerous break from Maxwell Jones and with Humphries and the excellent Baptiste starting to control the game in midfield the U’s always looked likely to score again.
The second came after 34 minutes and saw a good passing move finished off by Baptiste with a low shot from the edge of the box that squirmed through keeper Reuben Tyndall on a greasy surface.
The second half saw the U's continue to carve out a host of chances as Kidlington tired. Jeacock and Ricketts tested the keeper but it took until the 75th minute for the third goal when Humphries fired across the keeper from 15 yards and into the top left corner to seal United's progress.
Kidlington, who had gone through four rounds to reach this stage, had fought hard but the young U's were full value for their win and the last five minutes saw them give the scoreline a more realistic look as first sub Graham Bryan danced through to make it 4-0 and then the hard-working Luke Hastings finished well to make it 5-0 before sliding in with the sixth in injury time.
A good win and another very promising performance from the latest very promising bunch of youngsters at the U's.
United
Agboola, Diaz-Benitez, Carroll, Ricketts, C Hawtin, Baptiste, Humphries, Hastings, Graham (Hartley 86), Napa (Bryan 62), Jeacock (Deacon 80)