Two more of Oxford United’s emerging talents got their chance to impress last night when Michael Elechi and Kyran Lofthouse stepped up for their full debuts in the EFL Trophy.
Left-back Elechi and right back Lofthouse both started in United’s penalty shoot out win over Bristol Rovers and Michael admitted that there were a few nerves flying around before kick-off
“I was nervous in the first few minutes” he admitted to iFollow. “The nerves kicked in right at the start but after that I kind of eased into it and it was just like any other game. I had Rob Atkinson next to me and Sykesy in front and they both helped me through the game and the nerves died down after a while.”
Kyran also confessed that there were a few nerves before the game:
“Obviously I’m from Oxford and it was a big thing for me. I want to do well and wanted to impress so yes, there were nerves, but as the game went on you forget that sort of stuff and kind of grow into the game itself. You can just relax then and play your football. Longy was next to me and Jack Stevens behind me, so they have both been in the same boat, coming through the Academy and stepping up for their debuts and because they have come through like us they know what it is like and really helped.
“It was a good result in the end. I thought everyone worked hard after we didn’t start great- everyone knew that but we came back out after half time and I thought there was an improvement.”
Now the pair will be hoping for more first team opportunities:
“It’s only one game, just a start” Michael said.” A lot of people have helped me along the way since I was very young and first started playing football. I want to thank them all and just want to keep progressing now.”
That’s a sentiment that Kyran echoed:
“I hope it’s just a stepping stone and personally I feel like I have more to give so just keep working hard and keep doing the right things in training. We have worked so hard to get to this point but it’s just the beginning…”
See the full interviews plus the thoughts of Karl Robinson and full match highlights in iFollow