Roberts hat-trick as United romp to 10-0 win in friendly
United’s development side put Kidderminster Harriers to the sword this afternoon, winning 10-0 in a friendly on the 3G surface at Oxford City. A second half hat-trick from James Roberts, two goals apiece for Patrick Hoban and Josh Ashby, and strikes from Canice Carroll, AJ George and Aidan Hawtin capped a very impressive display from the young U’s.
It took just four minutes for Ashby to put United in front with a peach of a goal from 20 yards after being teed up by Hoban. The pair then combined three minutes later to allow midfielder Ashby to race into the box and make it 2-0 with a clinical finish.
With Josh Ruffels and Ashby controlling the midfield and plenty of energy from full backs Hawtin and Freddie Grant in support of the forward players, the U’s took control of the game and the only surprise was that it took until the 37th minute for Carroll to head home a corner to make it 3-0.
It was 4-0 on 41 as George set up Hoban at the near post for a good goal, and the second half became one-way traffic. George made it 5-0 as he tapped home after a Roberts shot had come back off the keeper, then a moment of quick thinking from Hoban made it 6-0 on 53; Roberts reached a through ball before the onrushing keeper who handled outside the area to prevent a goal, but Hoban promptly put the ball down and clipped the free kick over the still retreating keeper for a clever goal.
Grant hit the post and there were several near misses before Hawtin got in on the act by finishing off more good work from Hoban to make it 7-0 after the Irish striker had beaten three defenders.
Roberts had squandered several earlier chances but was not to be denied and on 68 scored his first with a typically composed finish. On 79 he netted his second from the penalty spot after the dangerous George was tripped inside the box, and then on 88 Roberts capped a good day all round with his hat-trick goal and United’s final strike, running clear to slot the ball home and make it 10-0.
By then United had an entirely homegrown outfield team and a delighted Chris Allen told us:
“That’s two strong performances in two games. Last week against Southampton was very good and then today the attitude was spot on. Even when the result was a formality nobody eased up or started doing stupid things, they just kept playing decent football, working hard and moving the ball well.
“The goals were a bonus but you look at the whole side and there were some very impressive performances all over the pitch.”
United
Buchel, A Hawtin (Welch-Hayes 78), Carroll, Cundy, Grant, George, Ashby, Ruffels (Humphries 78), Humphreys, Hoban (Graham), Roberts