Milton United 0 Oxford United 3

A team comprising professionals and youth players strolled to a straightforward win against Hellenic Premier League side Milton United at Milton Heights this evening. Oxford started very strongly, with a shot from Alex Fisher deflected onto the crossbar in the third minute. Four minutes later, Portuguese triallist Diogo Andrade sent over a low cross for Matty Taylor to put United ahead. Almost immediately after the restart, Sam Deering collected the ball in his own half and ended a scintillating run, when he beat at least three Milton defenders, by doubling the Us' score. There were other chances in the first half, but Milton keeper Craig Griffiths wasn't unduly troubled.

The second half was just five minutes old when United made it 3-0. A right-wing corner by Andrade was headed against the post by Chris Willmott, and Eddie Hutchinson was on hand to tap in the rebound. Jake Cole had little to do in the second half, but at the other end Griffiths had to be alert to keep out a long-range shot from Rob Davies, while his free kick from 20 yards hit the bar. Ian Sampson shot narrowly over, and Deering saw a shot saved by Griffiths.

Hutch makes it 3-0

Willmott and Matt Day played the full 90 minutes in defence, while Alex Jeannin played left back for about 75 minutes, and played well, his trial at Mansfield presumably having come to naught. Another player back at the club, Hutchinson wasn't taken on by Cambridge United, and despite scoring he didn't really get into the game in central midfield. Andrade impressed in the first half before his obvious lack of fitness started to tell and it was a surprise when he took the field at the start of the second half, although not a surprise when he was eventually substituted for Peggy Lokando (at least, that's who the announcer claimed it was), who took up an unfamiliar central midfield role, with Davies playing wide right. Deering had an excellent game on the left wing, while Taylor and Alex Fisher were both lively up front.

All in all, this was a good workout for the youngsters, and some valuable match fitness for the more senior players. It would be interesting to see more of Andrade when he gains more fitness, but whether he'll be allowed that time is unlikely. As for the rest, Deering looks the most likely to be challenging for the first team, with Taylor not far behind.