Oxford United U18s continued their good form as they picked up three points at Bristol Rovers on Saturday.
The young U’s opened the scoring through Jack Lee. United doubled their lead two minutes into the second half through half-time substitute Mo Missanga. The hosts pulled a goal back, but the game was put to bed by Leo Snowden, who added another one to his impressive goalscoring tally this season.
It was a rotated side for the Yellows this weekend, with the important upcoming FA Youth Cup game at Watford on Wednesday, meaning starts for Callum Palmer-Flynn and a return to action for goalkeeper Ajae Patel.
The game started in fast fashion with both sides getting early chances but neither were able to make the most of them. This was until the in-form Lee got on the end of a threatening ball across goal from Burton to make it 1-0 just 23 minutes in.
The U’s headed into the break with a slim lead and coach Pablo Haysham made three changes at the break, resting Louis Griffiths, Lee and Calum Doyle.
It took just two minutes for Missanga to make an impact, scoring off the bench for the second game in a row and doubling the U’s lead. Burton was the creator once again, playing Missanga through, and he was able to beat a stretched Bristol Rovers keeper.
The hosts got a goal back in the 63rd minute with a headed goal, opening up the game as we approached the end of the 90 minutes.
Snowden finished things off in the 83rd minute with a blistering counterattack from Mubarak Abolade, who found Snowden in space and he finished in fine fashion, making it 3-1.
This was another important three points for the U18s, taking them up to 5th in the league and giving them the momentum they need heading into Watford on Wednesday.
UNITED: Patel, Mole, Cramond, Bangurah (Blackmore 67), Lacey (Griffith 78), Doyle (Holton 45), Burton, Palmer-Flynn, Lee (Snowden 45), Griffiths (Missanga 45), Abolade
Report: Ollie Chamberlain