report filed by Boogie

The first cold nights are upon us but the progress of the Youth Team can give us a warm glow, like a pumpkin in a pie. Playing a spirited Winchester team, Oxford fell behind when the ball was bundled in after a long throw that should have been cut out.

United sprang to life with an equaliser. Tommy Franklin tricked the keeper with a lob and Jerome Anderson finished – what a treat. After the early exchange the game settled down, with both sides showing endeavour. But the play was often too rushed, with the ball bobbing here and bobbing there, but no-one could really get hold of it.

In the second half, Andrew Younie started to cast a spell in midfield, with Alex Fisher showing a lot of energy. Just over the hour mark Nick Albin showed great control to volley a cross into the net to give United the lead. Shortly after J Smith (no not that one, this one’s Jack) ghosted in at the left post to finish off a move from an Albin header. Why was the right back so out of the position? Tsssk what does Patto tell these boys?

The match was won, and Oxford looked comfortable for the rest of the game with Winchester rarely threatening, although a late penalty briefly roused the 150 or so home fans when the score was pulled back to 3-2. For all of about 30 seconds there was a cauldron of an atmosphere. Get to see the Youth Team if you can. You might leave with a few hairs standing up on the back of your neck…