Oxford United U18s won again as they knocked Stevenage out of the Youth Alliance Cup to progress to the quarter-finals.
United won 3-1 at Stevenage, thanks to first-half goals from Mubarak Abolade and a Boro own goal, before Jack Lee made the game safe ten minutes into the second period. With quarter of an hour remaining, the home side secured a consolation goal.
There were six changes to the side that demolished Cheltenham on the weekend, with skipper Harrison Mole being one of the six coming into the side. The skipper made his debut on loan at Didcot Town on Saturday, earning the man of the match award for his new club.
It was an even first half an hour, with Stevenage creating the most notable chance, forcing Ajae Patel into an important save. The hosts continued to whip in crosses, testing the U’s defence but were unable to beat the U’s shot stopper.
The opener came 42 minutes in from Abolade. Some good build-up play led to Lee finding Abolade in the box; he turned onto his left foot and wrongfooted the keeper with a tidy finish.
The lead was doubled on the brink of half time through an unfortunate own goal for the hosts. Lee looked to play Mo Missanga through, but the pass was intercepted by a sliding challenge that ended up coming off the Stevenage defender and catching the keeper off guard to make it 2-0.
Lee continued his goalscoring form, making it three for the U’s 56 minutes in. A beautiful team goal that started all the way from Patel. Missanga then cut in and beat the fullback before finding Lee at the back post to give United a 3-0 lead.
United brought on Hayden Vaughan, a 14-year-old making his debut for the U18s, a great achievement for the youngster who is a current U15 player for the club.
Stevenage did get one back 76 minutes in, bringing the game back to life, but struggled to test the U’s defence in the last 15.
Albie Collins was sent off in injury time, along with one of the Stevenage players.
This was another strong performance from the young U’s, meaning they are through to the last eight of the Youth Alliance Cup.
UNITED: Patel, Mole (Vaughan 70), Osborne, Collins, Cramond (Bangurah 70), Doyle (Gardner 45), Abolade, Appiah, Lee, Holton (Griffiths 60), Missanga (Snowden 60)
