Reserves dextrous

Dexter Blackstock put Oxford ahead after just ten minutes with a powerful header past Mark Bunn, following some excellent wing play and a fine cross by Taurean O'Sullivan, who had an outstanding game. Blackstock doubled the lead eight minutes later with a powerful shot from the edge of the area. United went close before half time on a number of occasions, including one excellent save by Bunn from a Josias Carbon shot while, in contrast, Simon Cox didn't have to make a save.

The second half was very eventful. After 50 minutes Sam Ricketts completely missed his kick, and Yakoob Khan headed the ball over Cox to make the score 2-1. United's goalkeeping crisis was exacerbated as Cox went straight off suffering from a bash on his ankle or achilles he received late in the first half. Rob Lovegrove went in goal.

On the hour mark Simon King curled a free kick around the wall and just inside the post to give United a 3-1 advantage. Quarter of an hour later Blackstock completed his hat-trick heading home a corner from Craig Strachan, who had another impressive game and who the club is hoping to hang on to at least until the end of the season. With ten minutes to go Ricketts received an injury but by then Oxford had used all their substitutes and he had to carry on.

This was generally a very good attacking display from a very inexperienced side. O'Sullivan stood out in particular, although there were also very impressive performances from Blackstock, Carbon, Strachan and King. The Us' other triallist, Birmingham defender Peter Gilbert, didn't really have enough work to do to have an opinion formed of him.