Oxford City go through to the 2nd round qualifying of the FA Youth Cup with a 2-1 win over Basingstoke Town, the side that knocked them out of the competition last year. 

After Stan Jeffries put the home side in front after just seven minutes, City took control of the game and two goals just before the stroke of half time from Kauan Bitencourt de Oliveira and Michel Bampoh put City ahead. 

First Half

The game didn’t start according to Coach Eddie Odhiambo’s plan after Basingstoke went through one-on-one with Goalkeeper Max Treml. His brilliant stop with his legs kept the hosts out. 

City conceded a free kick in the corner the following minute which was fired in low across the top of the area and slammed home by Stan Jeffries, much to the delight of the rowdy Basingstoke crowd. 

From then on, it was pretty much all City. Kauan and Michael Bampoh were dangerous and taking on the Basingstoke defence. 

City got back on level terms as a long ball was played into Kauan who brought it down with his chest, turned his man and slotted it calmly past the keeper with his left foot. 

The second came from Michael Bampoh who picked the ball up 30 yards from goal and drove at the retreating Basingstoke backline. He beats his man with a couple of crafty stopovers before rolling it into the back of the net. 

Half Time: Basingstoke Town 1-2 Oxford City

Second Half

The home side started the second period on the front foot and had City defending the edge of their box for the first 10 minutes or so, but Kauan still looked a threat. 

City’s number 9 turned his man and ran at the defence before taking it down the line and shooting from an acute angle only for the keeper to stick his left leg out and deflect the ball millimetres wide of the upright. 

Georgios Tzengko was the next City man to come close as his wonderful 1-2 with Bampoh resulted in a shot, again, just wide of the post. 

Bampoh hit the upright from close range before Kauan tried to chip the keeper from distance. 

Basingstoke threw men forward in the closing stages to find an equaliser but Took-Oxley and Parker-Hunt remained steadfast to see out the victory.

All in all, it was a free flowing and exciting performance from The Young Hoops and one they will look to build on in the next round. 

With brilliant performances and contributions all over the park and from the bench, it could be shaping up to be a fantastic season for this age group. 

Full Time: Basingstoke Town 1-2 Oxford City

Oxford City 

Treml, Aboi, Dix, Took-Oxley, Parker-Hunt, Heap (Barber 68’), Tzengko (Maxwell 90’), Stathi, Kauan, Fornal, Bampoh 

Unused Subs

Harwood, Green