Two goals from Jack Stevens and one from Connor Ferguson saw Oxford United's under 18s pick up all three points on the road at Forest Green Rovers this morning.
United did well early on in the first half as both sides got to grips as 50mph winds swept across the Forest Green Rovers academy pitches but it was the hosts who worked the first chance when a free kick tested goalkeeper Max Evans who parried away the danger before United responded quickly to clear.
Chances were few and far between with the wind causing issues for both sides. Stevens tested the goalkeeper early, swinging in a cross towards Jordan Edwards but the 'keeper came out quickly to claim.
United's best opportunities came from set pieces throughout the opening 45; Fabio Sole searching for Stevens in the area but again being denied by the goalkeeper who was sharp of his line to punch clear.
From a corner minutes later Sole picked out Viktor Milton who couldn't quite direct his header on target but United were pressing and eventually got their breakthrough on 37 whenMichael Elechi turned past his marker before picking out Ferguson in the area who finished well into the bottom corner.
Keeper Evans was called into action shortly after the restart when a forward latched onto a cross and looked certain to score but Evans made himself big and saved excellently with his foot.
Forest Green then had an opportunity to level the game from the spot after a penalty was awarded. However the forward stepped up and sent his strike over the bar to keep the score in United's favour.
United came close to doubling their lead when Tyler Goodrham played in Stevens with a tidy reverse pass but the midfielder placed his shot just wide on the hour mark.
On came top scorer Crook as United looked to put the game beyond the hosts. The changed paid off as 20 minutes from time, Crook chased down a through ball, picked out Chambers-Parillon on the edsge of the area who in turn played in Goodrham. The winger played the ball across to Stevens who finished off a lovely team move for the youngsters.
After a lengthy stoppage to the game following an injury to substitute Sam Johnson, the Yellows rounded off the scoring with a superb freekick in the 95th minute as Stevens stepped up to curl in from 25 yards and ensure United's excellent form in the Youth Alliance League continues
UNITED: Evans, Grant, Elechi, Sole, Milton, Jones, Goodrham (Johnson)(Gardner), Chambers-Parillon, Edwards (Crook), Stevens, FergusonUnused Subs: Niemczycki, Gardner, Crook, Barnett-Grant
REport by Liam Potter