The Young U’s, looking to bounce back from a disappointing defeat midweek against Chelmsford, drew 1-1 at Cheltenham Town this weekend in the Youth Alliance Cup. Leo Snowden gave Oxford a first-half lead but the hosts equalised in second-half stoppage time.
It was a first start of the season for left-back Jameson Blackmore after he had picked up an injury in pre-season, and a return to the side for Louis Griffiths.
The hosts started on the front foot, dominating the first few minutes and creating the first chance of the game. However, it didn’t take long for the U’s to grow into the contest, creating two promising chances early on.
The opener then came in the 29th minute when Snowden fired the U’s ahead with his fifth of the season, after some good link-up play with Griffiths. The Yellows continued to dominate towards the end of the first half, creating a number of chances to try and double their lead. However, they were unable to convert and went into the break with a 1-0 lead.
The U’s came out for the second half and continued where they left off, with Denis Travin nearly making an instant impact from the bench.
Cheltenham kept on pushing to find an equaliser and came close on a couple of occasions, before scoring an absolute worldie with an audacious bicycle kick in the 90th minute. In the 93rd minute, Snowden was put through on goal and looked like he was going to create even further drama, but he was controversially penalised for offside and the U’s had to settle for a draw.
United: Patel, Mole, Blackmore, Bangurah (Cramond 63), Lacey, Doyle (Holton 69), Missanga (Travin 45), Bradney, Lee, Griffiths, Snowden
Report: Ollie Chevallier
