Oxford United started life after Liam Manning with progress in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy this evening as a 5-0 win over Chelsea Under 21s took them through to the knock-out stages in convincing fashion.
Manning’s departure for Bristol City left Craig Short and Chris Hackett in charge of a much-changed side, but two early goals from Sonny Perkins and Jordan Thorniley paved the way for United to go through with their second win in the group, with Josh Murphy sending them on their way with two goals in the second half before Harris crashed in a fifth to cap a fine night's work.
Chelsea have a side packed full with young internationals, but it was two of United’s who took centre stage before the break, giving them a two-goal cushion and deflating the Stamford Bridge under 21s.
James Beadle, England’s under-21 goalkeeper, made an outstanding save from Somto Boniface before England under-20 striker Perkins put his side into the lead.
Murphy, excellent on the right wing, made the goal with a peach of a cross that left Leeds loanee Perkins with an open goal to fire home his first goal for the U’s after 15 minutes.
Three minutes later the lead was doubled, as Wales under-21 captain Fin Stevens floated in a cross from the other flank and this time centre-back Thorniley netted at the second attempt.
With Gatlin O'Donkor also having a good game up front, the youthful promise was very clear, but two more experienced heads, Alex Gorrin and James Henry, will also be pleased with their return to action, the former for his first start in over 12 long months and Henry making his first appearance of the season after injury.
Chelsea were neat on the ball and quick on the break, but United created the better chances on the night, with Perkins and O'Donkor going close in the second half and Murphy, the outstanding player on the night, racing away to score his first of the season after 71 minutes to make it 3-0.
Sub Harris drew a fine save from keeper Eddie Beach soon after, before Murphy made it four when sub Tyler Goodrham picked him out with another great cross and he danced his way past Beach to pass the ball merrily into the open net.
Short and Hackett - we have had Managers with those as their main tactics - will have been delighted, not just with the result but with the attitude and commitment from every player out there. The icing on the cake came when Leo Snowden emerged from the bench after 82 minutes to become the youngest player ever to play for the club, at 15 years and 157 days.
Harris then thumped home a fifth from close range and United were safely through, with a possible Wembley final starting to peek over the distant horizon.
Tomorrow is a brand new day - a schoolday for Snowden. Let's see what the next chapter of Oxford United's history book brings...
Att: 1,298
Away: 154
Report by Chris Williams, pictures Steve Daniels, Steve Edmunds, Lydia Wakeford and REX Shutterstock