A derby day which didn’t go the way of Oxford United's U18’s on Saturday, as they were defeated by a driven Swindon Town side in the Youth Alliance Cup. Coming into it on the back of a heavy 5-0 defeat against AFC Wimbledon, United were raring to go and ready to make things right. However, they were pinned back early on and struggled to get a foothold for the rest of the game.
Coach Pablo Haysham made a couple of changes to the team, with Louis Griffiths and Calum Doyle returning to the side.
Swindon started on the front foot, creating a couple of early chances, and were looking the better side. Their strong start was rewarded with an early lead in the 12th minute from a threatening cross that was converted at the back post by a rising header.
Not long after the opener, the Yellows had their first big opportunity of the game, but Kasway Burton was unable to test the keeper. The visitors continued their dominance with a number of chances, but couldn’t make the most of a couple of golden opportunities. They did, however, eventually get the second with a tidy finish through Will Jackson’s legs, giving Miles Obodo his second of the day.
United started growing into it towards the end of the first half, with Jack Lee and Leo Snowden both giving the Swindon defence a lot to think about, but there was nothing to show for their efforts and they headed into the break two goals down.
The young U’s started the second half how they finished the first, searching for a goal to get them back into the game, with Leo Snowden continuing to cause trouble down the left-hand side.
United finally got their chance to halve the deficit after Aaron Lacey was brought down in the box and a penalty was awarded. Leo Snowden converted to get his name on the scoresheet and suddenly the U’s were very much back in it with 15 minutes to play.
In the last few minutes, in classic derby style, the game started to heat up and the Yellows continued their pressure in hopes of finding an equaliser. Unfortunately, it was Swindon who got the next goal and put the game to bed in stoppage time, leaving the U18s with a disappointing defeat to open their Youth Alliance Cup campaign.
United: Jackson, Cramond (Gardner 70), Travin, Mole (C), Lacey, Doyle (Holton 67), Burton (Abolade 67), Bradney, Lee, Griffiths, Snowden
Unused sub: Missanga
Report: Ollie Chevallier
