A thrilling comeback from the Under 18s saw them come back with the three points from Exeter City with a 3-1 victory.
The Grecians opened the scoring in cold conditions in Exeter after an even first 30 minutes between the sides. The U’s went into the break 1-0 down after a disappointing first 45. However, they came out in the second half looking a lot more motivated.
The chances kept coming one after another but it took 67 minutes for the Yellows to get their opener through Leo Snowden. Jack Lee then gave the U’s the lead after some excellent football. Snowden finished off the game just three minutes later, making it two for him on the day and another important three points for United.
For the first time in 2025, the young U’s took to the field, looking to pick up their league form from where they left off in 2024. The Yellows started on the front foot, with Harrison Bradney’s scuffed effort hitting the crossbar. The hosts then slowly got into their groove, forcing a good couple of saves from Ajae Patel.
The Grecians took the lead after Patel denied them with a double save, but couldn’t prevent the Exeter forward on the third occasion as he made it 1-0, 29 minutes in.
United came out for the second half with a much better mindset and looked very motivated. Snowden was the first to come close to an equaliser, after a beautifully timed ball from Bradney.
A couple changes were made with Charlie Cramond and Louis Griffiths coming on and the U’s then started to apply non-stop pressure to the Exeter defence. Snowden came close again from a corner, while Aaron Lacey had a glancing header skim the crossbar.
It looked like it was going to be one of those days for Oxford, until Snowden finished off a trademark move, cutting in and curling it into the corner of the goal, getting a deserved equaliser for the Yellows, 67 minutes in.
Lee then came up with another crucial goal this season, making it 2-1 in the 75th minute. Snowden displayed some breath-taking footwork, getting past two before laying it off to Lee, who smashed it home to grab a late lead.
The lead was soon extended, with Snowden getting his second and completing another impressive comeback. Lee put Snowden through and he hit it on the half-volley for his 16th of the season, managing to beat the keeper through his legs and confirming another three points on the road.
The win makes it six from the last seven league games and puts pressure on those above United in the league.
United: Patel, Mole, Blackmore (Cramond 53), Bangurah, Lacey, Doyle (Palmer-Flynn 72), Burton (Abolade 62), Bradney, Lee, Holton (Griffiths 53), Snowden
