United’s reserves tonight thrashed swindon’s lot 3-0, all three goals coming in a memorable second half. Oxford’s line-up included ROS Chris Hackett, Derek Townsley and Danny Brown in midfield, as well as Lee Steele, Manny Omoyinmi and Jefferson Louis exactly one year to the day since Louis’ header beat the same opposition in the FA Cup second round. The final score was 1-0, in case you’d forgotten.

In the first half the only action of any note came in the Oxford area, when a swindon player sat on the ball before his hopeful toe-poke was blocked by one of his colleagues. On the stroke of half-time swindon’s Keith O’Halloran was sent off for an unknown reason, but it was a straight red so whatever it was must have been fairly serious.

In the second half United came out all guns blazing and their pressure told after about fifteen minutes. A cross from Hackett fell to Brown about twelve yards out. His shot was turned in from six yards by Steele, who played the full 90 minutes. Shortly afterwards Hackett and Omoyinmi were substituted, presumably a sign that they are likely to be involved in the first team squad next Saturday.

It wasn’t long before the change paid dividends as Joey Beauchamp lookalike Tom Winters cleverly worked his way into the area before unleashing an unstoppable shot past Steve Smith. The opposition rallied briefly, with Brian Howard or someone having a shot come off the inside of the post, but this was their only shot on target all evening. In the final minute Louis wriggled his way past the swindon back line, including Adi Viveash, before rifling home from the edge of the area to complete the demolition and bring back memories of last year, while eradicating memories of Friday’s meaningless friendly game.