Rage Online sponsored Sam Deering has pledged his immediate future to Oxford United.[@player]deering, sam[/@player] The midfielder, sponsored by Rage Online, today signed a professional contract with United, having previously been on Scholarship terms.

While he was not on a professional contract there was a danger that Sam, sponsored by this website's readers, could have been lured away by another club, which would have had to pay compensation. However, now that the 17-year old, who is sponsored by Rage Online, has put pen to paper and pledged to play for the Us for the next two-and-a-half years, United can demand a fee should anyone come a-poaching. Our congratulations go to Sam and to the management for this move.

Meanwhile, there was good news for Oxford about James Clarke. The right back was clattered by a reckless challenge in the final minute of the FA Cup win over Hayes & Yeading on Saturday, and there were fears that he might have broken his leg or suffered ligament damage. Clarke was dispatched directly to the JR Hospital for an X-ray, which revealed nothing worse than severe bruising, and the defender could even be fit enough to play in the first round tie against Dorchester Town a week on Saturday.

Last night's FA Cup games saw more Conference clubs heading for the exit doors. The most notable scalp was probably that of Wrexham, who lost 2-0 at Eastwood Town, who no one has ever heard of. Lewes were also beaten by a team so obscure that there are doubts that they even exist, losing 3-1 at home to Leiston. Woking went out, losing 1-0 at Ebbsfleet United, while York City lost 1-0 at Mansfield Town, prompting calls from Minstermen fans for the sacking of manager Colin Walker. York visit Oxford on Saturday, and look to be in some disarray. Northwich Victoria lost 3-0 at home to AFC Telford in a rearranged game after the original fixture was abandoned because of an electrical fire. Winners were Forest Green Rovers, who beat Ashford Town (Middlesex) 4-0 in front of a crowd of 425. While Histon set up a tie against Swindon Town after beating Durham City 5-2, the attendance at the Glassworld Stadium was a whopping 441. Tonight's match saw Stevenage Borough win 4-1 at the Horsham boys.