Oxford United’s under 23 side were beaten at Peterborough this afternoon when a fast start paved the way for a 5-1 win for the Posh, despite a late consolation for the U's from striker Harvey Bradbury.
United took the opportunity to look at experienced striker Nicky Maynard who looked lively throughout in a front line that also included Bradbury and Fabio Lopes but playing against a very experienced Peterborough side United were up against it from the start and three goals behind inside half an hour.
The U’s fell behind after 11 minutes when a cross from the right was converted from close range, and keeper Jack Stevens kept his side in it with a fine save soon after before the Posh made it 2-0 after fifteen minutes with another simple finish inside the area and then 3-0 after 28 after their striker rounded the keeper and tapped home from almost on the goal line.
The introduction of Aaron Heap, just back from his international debut for Northern Ireland under 19s, added steel in midfield for the young U’s and both Matt Berry-Hargreaves and Albie Hopkins made a positive impact in an improved second half performance, although a fourth goal just after the hour and a fifth on 71 merely underlined the home side's dominance.
United had one or two chances themselves after the break and got their reward for perseverance after 86 minutes when Bradbury nodded home from six yards out to get the goal that his hard work deserved.
Manager Chris Allen told us
"No arguments with the scoreline, Peterborough had a really strong side and played really well. There were a lot of players with plenty of first team experience in their side and we started too slowly. Maybe we showed them a bit too much respect but it's the first time our young side have experienced that type of game this season so we have to learn from it.
"We have another game later in the week so we will have to respond quickly."
United
Stevens, Long, Raglan, Johnson-Fikula (Berry- Hargreaves 46), Taylor, R. James (Hopkins 46), Trialist, Trialist (Heap 28), Maynard, Bradbury, Lopes (Taverner 74)