Oxford United U18s came from behind to pick up all three points away in Northampton this weekend.
Both sides started the game positively, trying to find an early opener with chances falling at both ends, but it was the hosts who took the advantage early on through a well-executed free kick that found the top-left corner in the 26th minute.
It didn’t take long for the U’s to react, though, with Mubarak Abolade coming close to finding the equaliser, but he was denied by a good save from the Northampton keeper.
The Yellows continued their pressure as they searched for the equaliser, and they came close on a couple of occasions, both from corners delivered by the left foot of Dennis Travin. Aaron Lacey thought he had the equaliser, however, it was disallowed by the referee for a foul on the keeper. Five minutes later, he came close once again, his bullet header smashing into the bar.
The chances kept flying for the U's as Kasway Burton tested the keeper and Charlie Cramond’s header whisked over the bar. It took 44 minutes for United to finally get their deserved opener, with Louis Griffiths - high on confidence from his Welsh U18s call up - taking on an audacious effort from outside the box and lobbing the ball into the top-right corner.
Unfortunately for United, all their hard work was put down the drain as a minute later the Cobblers reinstated their lead with another clever finish from the Northampton player.
United started the second half on the front foot, taking only seven minutes before they got back level, with Griffiths displaying his magic once again. A lovely solo run from the Wales international after he picked up the ball on the edge of the box and took it past three players before blasting it into the roof on the goal on his weaker foot.
The equaliser gave the U18s confidence as they now looked to get their third and take the lead. Both teams made changes, and the game became a tense one with both sides trying to nick it towards the end.
It was all deadlocked until Leo Snowden pulled out a beautiful finish to give the U’s an important late lead. He picked up the ball on the left, played a lovely one-two with Josh Holton, and then curled it around the keeper to complete the comeback.
The win makes it two from three in the league and three from four in all competitions.
United: Jackson, Mole, Travin, Bangurah (Cramond 22), Lacey, Doyle (Holton 63), Burton (Missanga 90), Bradney, Snowden, Griffiths, Abolade (Lee 68)
Report by Ollie Chevallier