Oxford United’s Under 23 side came from behind for a 2-1 win against Kidderminster Harriers at Court Place Farm this afternoon. Second half goals from Slavi Spasov and Matt Berry-Hargreaves gave United a deserved win after falling behind midway through the first half to the Harriers.
The young U’s lined up with Jack Stevens in goal behind Cameron Norman, Berry-Hargreaves, Steven Johnson-Fikula and Matt Taylor, with Aaron Heap and Aaron McCreadie in midfield, Kyran Lofthouse and Rev James on the wings and Spasov and Brandon Taverner up front.
They looked comfortable at the back throughout but created few chances in a very well-contested first half and were a goal behind after 20 minutes when Kidderminster’s number 10 hooked a spectacular volley over the helpless Stevens from 20 yards out for a very well-taken opener.
The second half saw more energy after a half-time team talk from Chris Allen and both Spasov and Taverner had headers go close before Spasov levelled after 65 minutes with a clinical header in to the bottom left corner from a Lofthouse cross from the right.
The U's then dominated the last half hour against a tiring Harriers side who had fought for everything and made it in to a very enjoyable match to watch.
The combative Heap sent a shot wide from the edge of the area on 73, and then on 85 minutes Berry-Hargreaves won the game for the U's when he forced the keeper in to a save with a header from Heap's corner which the keeper pushed on to the post but Berry-Hargreaves reacted quickest to send the rebound beyond the prone keeper and make it 2-1 to the U's.
A decent win and more game time for the Under 23s who continue to impress.
United
Stevens, Norman, Berry-Hargreaves, Johnson-Fikula, Taylor, Heap (Cowan 84), McCreadie, Lofthouse (Trialist 84), R James, Taverner (Crooks 84), Spasov (Trialist 75)