United’s reserves put on a battling display to lose 3-2 to Ipswich reserves at Didcot Town’s Loop Meadow stadium, just a few weeks after going down 9-0 to the same opposition. Darryl Knights gave the visitors a 13th-minute lead, with the restart delayed as referee Steve Creighton limped off. Within a minute of the kick-off United equalised as Billy Beechers latched on to a through ball, beat the covering defender, and shot powerfully past Shane Supple.

Unfortunately for United, they were unable to keep the scores level up to the break, as Dean Bowditch put the Tractor Boys ahead again with an excellent finish. The game looked to be up for the Yellows five minutes after the interval, when Knights scored his second and Town’s third goal. United didn’t give up, though, and pulled another goal back when triallist Alex Tapp, a former Franchisee, scored from 12 yards after some good build-up play on the right. The game finished at 3-2, although only because the final whistle was blown just as a shot from Town substitute Jai Reason looped over Chris Tardif and into the net.

Oxford fielded a team comprised mainly of youth players, although as well as Tardif and Tapp they also featured Gavin Johnson at left back, and Eddie Hutchinson, who commanded the midfield. Johnson did okay, but was obviously short of match fitness. Tapp also had a good game, once he got into his stride, and pinged in a number of excellent crosses. He slotted comfortably into the left-back role after Johnson went off, replaced by Aaron Posey. Other players who caught the eye included Beechers, who made a number of intelligent runs, Josh Kennet, who battled well in midfield, and Andrew Younie on the right wing. Centre back James Clarke received a yellow card for clattering Martin Brittain. Overall, this was a decent performance and result for United’s second string, against a very accomplished Ipswich side.