Oxford United's youngsters went out of the Oxfordshire Senior Cup at the quarter-final stage after a 3-1 defeat at Kidlington this evening.
With effectively an under-18 side in action, playing against a more experienced side is hard work even if you don’t concede inside 21 seconds, and a second long-range effort after 15 minutes gave United just too much ground to make up, despite a headed goal from under-16 forward Jack Lee. A Ben Richards goal on 88 minutes capped a good night's work for the home side and finally ended any hopes of a noteable comeback from the battling U's.
The game was a so solid 21 seconds old when Mekhai Amari Bessasa-Grant, grandson of Manor Ground forward Paul Berry and a former Academy team-mate of most of the United team, cut in from the left and fired a great goal across Monty Marriott to make it 1-0.
The second goal was an even better strike. Piers Walton looked up 25 yards from goal and lashed a wonderful effort beyond the helpless Marriott to make it 2-0 after 15 minutes and force United to somehow find a response.
To their enormous credit they did just that. Aidan Elliott-Wheeler pinged a free kick over the bar before firing a second chance into the side netting after 25 minutes. Impressive under 16 striker Lee headed a Richard McIntyre cross into the gloves of keeper Jack Hopwood as United pressed, and Hopwood denied Elliott-Wheeler once more with a good save as the game reached the half-hour mark.
They then gained a foothold when Harrison Bradney swung in a well-flighted corner and Lee converted his fourth goal in four games to make it 2-1.
Bradney and Lee had opportunities to level things before the break in an enjoyable, open game that saw the home side start the second half well and United then, again, grow into things.
Credit to Kidlington who defended well and limited United to speculative efforts, such as the one Kasway Burton tried after 75 as they threatened to lay siege to the Kidlington goal.
An agricultural challenge from George Cowmeadow on Burton after 77 minutes led to a straight red card, but United couldn't capitalise on the extra man and Richards headed home a late free kick to ensure that the home side went through to the semi-finals alongside Banbury, Thame United and either Adderbury Park or Oxford City.
Lessons to be learned for the young players and our thanks to Kidlington. Good luck in the next round. We hope to see a lot more of you in the near future...
UNITED
Marriott, Elliott-Wheeler, Smith, Bangurah, McIntyre, Burton, Took-Oxley, Brenan, Cooper, Bradney (Griffiths 75), Lee
SUBS
Patel, Travin, Iheanacho,
Report by Chris Williams, pictures Steve Edmunds