Report filed by Jon Moore

Another young Us reserve side was given a lesson by the MK Dons at Didcot, having much of the play but creating very little from it, and eventually going down 3-0. Without even Chris Tardif to add experience, Oxford gave trials to Saints scholars Craig Richards and former-U Sean Rudd, while another ex-U and former Saints colleague, Josh Mulvany, had another chance in midfield, along with Paul Dyer. The Dons fielded a more balanced mix, with veteran Junior Lewis organising from midfield and first team keeper Lee Harper marshalling the backline.

United actually had the upper hand in the first half, pushing forward from the off and carving out five good chances over a ten minute spell midway through the half. Sadly, while all five chances went begging, the Dons sandwiched this spell of Oxford pressure with two goals of their own, from their only three chances of the half.

On 12 minutes, triallist Paul Dyer gave the ball away in midfield, and in his efforts to make amends he placed the subsequent cross past his own keeper. Three minutes later Sean Rudd was indecisive facing his own goal, but Hastings sliced the chance wide. No such luck on 27 minutes, as Charlie Shuter made space and smashed in snap shot from just outside the area.

The second half started with the Dons hitting the post with a header, then going three up through an individual goal from Hastings. Oxford attempted to strike back with Daniel Meade smashing a deep Andrew Younie cross just wide, and Billy Beechers failing to make the most of his chance, when clean through on goal. The final half hour saw Oxford trying to come forward without ever looking threatening, with their best chance seeing Harper spectacularly claw away a sliced clearance from his own defender. The Dons ended in the ascendancy with a series of long shots peppering Gareth Tucker's goal.

Mulvany was probably the pick for a disappointing Oxford; he was strong in the tackle, yet able to find time and space under pressure. Richards started well at right back, but let his head drop once the Us were behind, while Sean Rudd showed that he still has not recaptured his England schoolboy form after losing most of last season through injury. Beechers had two clear (final?) chances to impress the watching Jim Smith, but… er… didn't.