Through the heavy rain and before a record-low Kassam Stadium crowd of only 860 supporters, Oxford United found gaps in Cheltenham Town’s defence to fill with four goals.
Both managers presented hybrid starting squads between emerging academy prospects and recovering first-team leaders. Yet, as the night wore on, it was Oxford United’s rookies that provided decisive attacks.
18-year-old forward Leo Snowden scored his first-ever goal with a composed strike to the box. In addition, South Korean winger Jeon Jin-Woo celebrated his return from injury by driving home his first-ever goal with the Yellows.
In goal, Jamie Cumming stepped back onto the pitch following his three-match domestic suspension after a red card against Barnsley. The goalkeeper anchored Oxford’s defense to deny Cheltenham Town’s from gaining ground against Oxford.
The opening half remained goalless with no added time, fruitless attempts to goal, and lacking sharpness from both teams.
However, after the break, the pace of the game slowed with Oxford suffocating Cheltenham Town’s progression and dominating the attacks against their own half.
Once Snowden broke the deadlock at minute 59’, head coach and former Arsenal player Aaron Ramsey reshuffled his deck with a triple substitution. The changes took away Roosken, Kioso, and captain Cameron Brannagan. The incoming trio of O’Donkor, Elliott-Wheeler, and Goodrham resulted in a sharpened vertical attack from the home team.
O’ Donkor secured a late brace with headers following Elliot-Wheeler’s cross and Snowden’s last-minute cross to wrap the 4-0 victory. Taking the Oxford-based team closer to the EFL Trophy.
Head coach Ramsey said: “really pleased with that performance. It’s been a real busy period for us.
“We wanted to finish the job off tonight and box this period off with a real strong performance.”
As of today, Oxford United sits at the second place of their group, awaiting the encounter in the last group stage match against Tottenham Hotspur U21s.