A Klaidi Lolos double, Joe Iaciofano bicycle-kick and an Aaron Williams-Bushell strike sealed the win but the away side contributed to an entertaining affair with goals from Gatlin O'Donkor and Tyler Goodrham.

There was room for more drama too, as Jack Davies was sent off for a second yellow card with twenty minutes to go.

Ross Jenkins rotated the squad that had previously beaten Concord Rangers in National League South. Jayden Carbon, Klaidi Lolos, Joe Iaciofano and Latrell Humphrey-Ewers were all handed starts.

The game started as an end-to-end affair and never really settled throughout the ninety minutes, and the young U's side contributed their fair share of chances. Goodhram sent an effort wide of the goal and O'Donkor came close to tapping home a cross in the early stages, both players fresh from their appearances in United's League One match with Wycombe yesterday.

However, United's bright start seemed to bring City back down to earth and the Hoops found the lead in the 21st minute. Klaidi Lolos linked up well with strike partner Joe Iaciofano and he hammered the ball past Kie Plumley after receiving the ball in space inside the box.

Both teams were forced into early changes in the game. For City, loanee 'keeper Archie Matthews had to depart early in the match after picking up a knock, luckily Ben Dudzinski was on the bench to replace him.

United continued to keep the City defence on their toes, however with ten minutes to go until the break, Iaciofano stole the show! A superb cross was floated into the box and the striker acrobatically finished the chance with an overhead kick. A superb goal.

The two-goal lead seemed to have come out of nowhere on the balance of play but City put the game to bed (in hindsight at least) on the stroke of half-time. Lolos grabbed his second of the game, evading detection to slam home Williams-Bushell's cross at the front post.

Half-Time: Oxford City 3-0 Oxford United

Supporters could've been forgiven to think the second-half would've been a formality, but it wasn't the case.

Ex-Hoops loanee Gatlin O'Donkor had been a thorn in City's side throughout the game and grabbed a goal back four minutes after the re-start. He waltzed in on goal and had the time and space to pick his spot, and finish past Dudzinski.

Four minutes later and United were right back in the tie. This time, fellow first-teamer Goodrham got the goal, finding space on the edge of the box and rifling a powerful effort into the net (giving Iaciofano's goal a run for its money for 'goal of the game').

United had the momentum and the tide seemed to be turning but as soon as the young squad had their tails up, City struck the hammer blow. Williams-Bushell did well to beat his man on the wing, and fizzed a low effort into the corner of the net from a tight-angle on the hour mark.

Game over in the tie, but there was still time for more drama. Jack Davies was given a second-yellow card after fouling O'Donkor on the counter-attack, but the ten-men City side did well to see the game out in a professional manner. 

A great game at the RAW Charging Stadium and we'd like to wish the young U's the very best of luck in their respective campaigns. 

Next up for City, Weymouth at home on Saturday. 

Attendance: 237

Oxford City Starting XI: Matthews (Dudzinski 33'), Davies, Miccio, Burley, Fleet (c) (Ashby 46'), Iaciofano, McEachran (Muchechetere 46'), Lolos, Carbon, Williams-Bushell, Humphrey-Ewers

Subs not used: Coyle, Carroll