 Jonte Smith, Owen James and Kyran Lofthouse were on the mark as Oxford United's Under 23 side put in a fine performance to beat Hull City 3-0 at Thame United's ASM Stadium this evening.
A penalty from new arrival Smith, a well-placed header from young forward James and a last minute strike from Lofthouse earned the young U's a deserved victory that keeps them in the competition with one game left at Wolves next Friday.
The U's fielded a side that mixed senior players such as Samir Carruthers and Sam Long with a number of their successful under 18 side, but it was Bermudian international Smith who put them ahead on the stroke of half time with a penalty - his second in two games since signing and fourth in three games since arriving on trial.
That penalty was a direct result of Carruthers running at a retreating Hull backline and being brought down, and the fit again midfielder put in a superb display to catch the eye of the watching Karl Robinson with Saturday's home game against Peterborough in mind, as did the superb Long at center-half.
Smith, who had also tested the keeper with a first half header and a low drive early in the second half, did well until replaced by Harvey Bradbury for the last half hour.
An excellent win and another very promising performance from the young Oxford United team who now try to win their way through to the next round when they play Wolves at Molineux next Friday evening.
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