Oxford United U18s extended their winning streak as they overcame Bristol Rovers 3-1 in tough conditions on Saturday.
This was another good win for the young U’s in very wet and muddy conditions. Goals from Josh Holton, Leo Snowden and Jack Lee gave the Yellows a hard-fought three points, repeating the 3-1 scoreline of the reverse fixture.
United started on the back foot for the first time in a few weeks. A good start for the Pirates meant they could pile pressure on the U’s. However, they were unable to make the most of the pressure and failed to find the opener.
Oxford started to gain some control towards the end of the half, before the opener came on the verge of the half-time whistle.
Calum Doyle picked out Holton with a mesmerizing ball over the top that completely split the Rovers defence. Holton took it down beautifully and finished it off with class to give the U’s an important lead.
United unfortunately lost Charlie Cramond to an injury in the 62nd minute as the defender was stretchered off and replaced by Callum Palmer-Flynn.
The visitors managed to get level in the 65th minute through a mistake from the U’s defence and Rovers capitalised to get back into the game.
The lead was quickly restored by Snowden three minutes later. Louis Griffiths slipped Snowden through and he picked out the top corner with a top-notch finish on his weaker foot to make it 2-1.
Rovers tried to force an equaliser, but it was the Yellows who grabbed their third and put the game to bed. Lee won a penalty with some good footwork and converted from the spot in the first of nine minutes of added time.
The win makes it nine in a row for the U’s and continues to put pressure on Luton at the top.
United: Patel, Gardner, Blackmore, Bangurah (Griffith 84), Cramond (Palmer-Flynn 62), Doyle, Abolade (Missanga 65), Holton, Lee, Griffiths, Snowden
