Oxford United U18 7 Hereford United U18 2

George Dugdale

Callam O'Dowda scored a hat-trick as United's youth team came from behind to record a tenth successive win with a 7-2 victory over Hereford United.

Chris Allen opted to give some of his younger players a game with Matt Woodley, Josh Lathey and Scott Gee given an opportunity to impress in the U18s side.

United had started the game brightly but were made to pay for letting their early pressure slip as Hereford took the lead from a corner after 13 minutes. United couldn't clear and the visitors scrambled the ball home to take an early lead.

United were without suspended striker James Roberts, but sprung into life thanks to the replacement striking partnership. Jermaine Udumaga fired wide, before turning creator after 25 minutes. A neat interchange with Gee gave Udumaga the time and space to free partner Callum O'Dowda in the area. He made no mistake to level the scores.

Two minutes later, the hosts were ahead thanks to the same combination. Udumaga's through-ball found O'Dowda and the winger-turned-striker took a touch before sliding the ball past the Hereford goalkeeper.

United had woken up and scored the third goal in six minutes moments later. Sam Humphreys won a header on the edge of the area to free Udumaga and the striker opened his body to curl into the far corner.

Hereford were still a threat on the break and Justin Niangasa had to be alert to block after a swift counter-attack, before the visitors headed against the upright from the resultant corner.

If United had started the first half slowly, they got the second off to a perfect start. Udumaga swung a great cross to the back post and Niangasa planted a firm header past the goalkeeper to make it 4-1.

O'Dowda was on the hunt for his hat-trick but was denied by the Bulls' goalkeeper, before Gee headed home an Udumaga free-kick to make it five. With a goal and four assists under his belt, Udumaga was given a breather as more United youngsters were given a taste of the action.

Jacob Hughes cut inside to sting the goalkeeper's palms before Hereford pulled a goal back on the counter-attack. The winger cut into the United area to fire past Eddie Cavanagh at the near post and make it 5-2.

O'Dowda was again denied by the Hereford goalkeeper, before the hat-trick finally arrived with 15 minutes remaining. After springing the offside trap, he calmly stroked the ball into the corner to score his fifth goal in three games.

With ten minutes to go O'Dowda showed the other side to his game to release substitute Leon Lalor-Dell to slot the seventh past the advancing goalkeeper.

United and Hereford have shared 20 goals between them in two meeting this season, but the Oxford side have scored 16 of those to take the points in both.

Despite the early setback, United's young side proved too strong for their opponents and will look to continue their run against Plymouth Argyle in the FA Youth Cup on Wednesday night.

If you have a free evening, we strongly advise that you join us at Thame United to see if United's youngsters can set up a third round clash with Barnsley.

United: Cavanagh, Lathey, Niangasa, Long, Matty, Humphreys (Reid, 70), Ashby, Gee (Lynn, 60), Hughes, Udumaga (Lalor-Dell, 60), O'Dowda.