Oxford City’s youngsters booked their place in the third qualifying round of the FA Youth Cup with a fine 3-0 win over Thatcham Town at the MGroup Stadium this evening.

Two penalties from Brazilian striker Kauan Bitencourt De Oliveira and a late third from sub Bukunmi Maxwell saw Eddie Odhiambo's side through despite a valiant effort from the visiting team

As always in this competition the first 20 minutes flashed past in a blur of enthusiasm and adrenaline. The outstanding Kauan went close, there were two scrambles and Thatcham, all sixteen years old and playing against an older and more experienced City side battled hard to keep a clean sheet.

They might even have taken the lead after 20 minutes when a Dan Parry drive dipped just over the bar.

However City had enjoyed the lion’s share of possession and Kauan’s strength was clearly troubling the visitors’ defence. On 40 minutes that provided the breakthrough as he turned smartly and drew a challenge that left ref James Thompson with no real choice other than to point to the spot. Kauan bounced up and buried the penalty and City had their noses in front.

The attritional pattern of the first half continued in the early stages of the second with Thatcham restricting City’s chances and working ferociously in defence while looking to spring forward on the break. A skidding set piece from Harvey Nash almost caught City keeper Max Treml out on the hour and the resulting corner was hooked over as Thatcham’s ambitions began to grow.

City, sensing the danger, moved up a gear as fitness began to count in the final half hour. Kauan tested keeper Sean Townsend’s handling with another effort after the industrious Piotr Fornal had chased a lost cause and Fornal had a similar effort moments later with the same outcome.

Kaiden Heap caught the eye in midfield, Fornal fired another powerful drive wide and after 80 minutes City were just about through when sub Maxwell powered through and was tripped. Kaun stroked home his  second spot kick home and Thatcham's resistance was finally broken

Visiting striker Fernando Tankaria Rodriguez was shown a red, Heap hammered a 25 yard free kick against the bar and then Maxwell touched a third goal past the bewildered Townsend to complete an excellent night's work for a very impressive young  City side.

 On to the next round we go...

CITY

Treml, Aboi (Harwood 90)  Dix, Took-Oxley (Goff 90), Parker-Hunt, Heap (Green 90), Tzengko (Maxwell 78), Stathi, Kauan, Fornal, Barber (Price 67)

Att: 132

Report and photography by Chris Williams