Oxford United's U18s marked their return to winning form with a narrow 1-0 victory over Forest Green Rovers during their Youth Alliance League match on Tuesday. This win was significant, coming just after the team had faced a disappointing 5-1 defeat against Plymouth, which had ended their five-game unbeaten streak.
It was Mubarak Abolade's 68th-minute goal which propelled the Yellows to victory at home, boosting their spirits as they aimed to regain some momentum. The result means Oxford United has positioned itself fourth on the league table, trailing league leaders AFC Wimbledon by just four points.
The match saw manager Pablo Haysham making two changes following the recent setback, which included bringing Kasway Burton back to the starting lineup. The first half of the game had been quite uneventful, with little action to excite the fans. Nonetheless, the second half saw Oxford come alive, showcasing some promising link-up play between players which led to multiple goal-scoring opportunities.
Early in the second half, Burton and Abolade worked well together to create several chances, but their attempts failed to find the back of the net. It wasn't until the 68th minute when the duo connected once more, with Burton managing to outpace his defender on the left flank and setting up Abolade for a simple tap-in, scoring the only goal of the match.
Despite the visitors ramping up the pressure in the final 20 minutes of the game, desperate to equalize, Oxford’s defense held strong to preserve their clean sheet. This victory has rejuvenated the team's confidence, bringing them back to life as they prepare for their upcoming challenges.
Overall, the match was not just about the scoreline; it gave Oxford's youth players much-needed experience and reassurance of their capabilities, reminding them of the resilience required to succeed at this level. The Yellows celebrated the win exuberantly, knowing they had not just ended their losing streak, but had also set the tone for future matches as they seek to climb higher up the ranks.
Fans and club officials alike are hopeful this result can spark the kind of run needed to challenge for the top positions as the season progresses. The next weeks will be pivotal for the youth team as they look to solidify this newfound momentum.
