Oxford United U18 3 Plymouth Argyle U18 2
George Dugdale
United’s youth team came from behind to make it into the third round of the FA Youth Cup for the second season in a row. Goals from Jermaine Udumaga, James Roberts and an own goal gave Oxford the 3-2 victory needed to set up a tie with Barnsley in the next round.
Plymouth, who included a player with over 20 games at first team level in Matt Lecointe in a talented line-up, started the game the stronger of the two sides and took a first half lead when Tyler Harvey capitalised on a defensive mix up to clip the ball over the advancing Josh Hill.
The in-form James Roberts stung the palms of Plymouth goalkeeper Walton., before United grabbed an equaliser with the last move of the first half. Jacob Hughes’ cross was not dealt with by the visitors and Udumage turned to stroke the ball home. It had taken United a while to come to terms with size and speed of the Plymouth squad, but they were matching them for effort and deserved their leveller after a period of good pressure.
Chirs Allen shuffled his side at half time, moving Udumaga into a deeper midfield position to gain a little composure to the side’s play. This paid off after 52 minutes as United took the lead. Roberts was involved as the ball made its way across the area, but a defender got the decisive touch to give Oxford the lead.
Argyle were level 15 minutes later after goalkeeper Josh Hill brought down the advancing Josh Hutchinson and Lecointe, who was supposedly being monitored by Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool when he broke into the Plymouth first team, stepped up to send the goalkeeper the wrong way.
Udumaga’s goalbound free-kick was repelled by a flying save as extra-time looked likely, but it was a familiar name on the scoresheet when United got their winner. Dave Lynn’s long-throw was flicked towards goal by Udumaga, but when it rebounded to Roberts he wasted no time in lashing the ball into the bottom right corner from the edge of the area to give United a hard-earned lead.
Argyle threw everything they had at the hosts in the final minutes but captain Sam Long’s defence remained strong to ensure United made it through to the next round.
That is eleven wins in a row for Oxford and an element of revenge gained against the team who were the last to beat Allen’s side. Plymouth are currently challenging at the top of United’s league and the youngsters had to fight hard for their victory. Several of the Plymouth players will go on to play the game professionally and the experience of competing against high quality players will benefit United’s youngsters as they look to do the same in their own careers.
To reach successive third rounds in the cup is a great achievement for the youth team and we strongly recommend you join us when the boys take on Barnsley in another challenging fixture. We will bring you full details of the game when we have them.
United: Hill, Wright, Long, Niangasa, Lynn, O’Dowda, Ashby, Humphreys, Hughes, Udumaga, Roberts
Subs: Cavanagh, Woodley, Lathey, Martin, Lalor Dell
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