United’s reserves were outclassed by Cheltenham’s reserves at Court Place Farm this afternoon, with most of the damage being done by an impressive Damian Spencer, who looked a class above everyone else on the pitch. United featured Andy Scott and Jefferson Louis up front, and David Oldfield in central midfield, but no-one else in the Oxford side had any first team experience. Cheltenham played four triallists, including three defenders from Norwich City and Yeovil’s Jerry Gill.

After a scrappy first half hour, with neither side creating much, Spencer was fed in by David Chick, and he beat Simon Cox when his shot bobbled up to deceive United’s ‘keeper. Just before half time Spencer was left unmarked at a corner and his header doubled the lead.

Oxford started the second half with Orlando Van Der Molen, a Dutch triallist currently training with Aston Villa, replacing Cox in goal. Within minutes Spencer almost notched his hat-trick as his header from another corner hit the bar, and it wasn’t long before Cheltenham extended their lead, this time Kayode Odejay easily lobbing past Van Der Molen. The dreadlocked ‘keeper wasn’t having a good start in his attempts to impress, dropping another corner and barely reaching the half-way line with his clearances. Another Cheltenham corner saw Luke Corbett volley home from six yards, and with 25 minutes remaining another volley, this time from David Bird, made it 5-0 to the Robins.

With five minutes remaining United were given a penalty for handball and Scott calmly slotted it home to give the Us a consolation goal. Cheltenham were overall more organised, stronger, and more purposeful than United, whose heads dropped visibly in the second half. Oldfield was probably Oxford’s best player, although Josias Carbon at right wingback did well and Scott will be pleased with his contribution during a lean afternoon. Louis was clearly frustrated with the lack of service he was receiving, and was lucky not to be booked for one agricultural challenge that left his opponent writhing on the floor. All in all a disappointing game for Darren Patterson’s lads.