United’s reserves lost 1-0 to Northampton’s reserves this afternoon in a behind closed doors friendly at Iffley Road. The only goal was scored by Derek Asamoah towards the end of the game in which Oxford also had their chances to score.

In United’s starting line-up only goalkeeper Simon Cox and right back Angus Mackey lacked first team experience. They lined up alongside two triallists: Orient left-back
Matt Brazier, who four years ago cost Cardiff ?100,000 when they bought him from Fulham, and
Avun Jephcott, a left winger from Coventry who has made just one substitute appearance for the Midlands club.

Of the rest Lee Steele came through another 90 minutes, and Mark Rawle played 85 minutes in his comeback from injury. Jefferson Louis played in central defence alongside Matt Bound, and ROS Chris Hackett, Derek Townsley and Danny Brown all played.

Bound hit the bar with a header, and Steele and Rawle both went close on several occasions. It wasn’t all one-way traffic though and Cox had to be alert to save well from Lawrie Dudfield and Paul Harsley.

This was United’s reserves last game for about a month, which is the reason why Jamie Brooks was loaned out to Maidenhead, for whom he played on Saturday in their 4-2 defeat to Heybridge Swifts. United’s under-19s beat Northampton 5-1 on Saturday, with four goals being scored by Craig Davies, the fifth coming from Millwall triallist Steve Cant. United’s goal for the under-17s in their 6-1 defeat at Luton was scored by Carl McCoy.