Oxford City's under 18s' superb FA Youth Cup run ended at Loftus Road this evening when QPR's youngsters proved just too strong for them in the second half.

Trailing to an early strike from Teddy Tarbotton, City had their moment of glory when striker Kauan Bitencourt de Oliveira levelled just before half time. However a goal from the powerful Ridwanullahi Hassan and then two in quick succession from Fraser Neill sent the  Championship side through to face Tottenham Hotspur in the next round and leave City merely with dreams of what might have been

Having battled through five rounds to get to this stage the young Hoops were in no mood to throw all that hard work away and that meant they scrapped for every ball all night, although conceding an early goal was not part of the plan.

That goal came after ten minutes when skipper Tarbotton found space on the edge of the box and curled a superb effort into the top right corner, giving keeper Max Treml no chance.

1-0 down, City refused to fold and Georgios Tzengko’s header forced a save from home keeper Alfie Fittall (if he’s not nicknamed One Size by his teammates then the game has gone) and defender Jacob Parker-Hunt was unlucky with a shot after 35 minutes that was deflected just wide.

At the other end Treml was well protected and other than a long range effort from Philip Sanyalu that smacked to safety off the bar the home Hoops were well shackled in the first half.

On 43 minutes City were deservedly level. Kauan was the hero, twisting, turning and drawing a challenge that left the ref with no choice other than to point to the spot. Pressure? What pressure? The boy from Brazil picked himself up, picked his spot and City were level at 1-1.

That sparked great celebrations from the family, friends and parents of the City players who had given their players amazing support as always, but five minutes after the break their heroes were a goal down once more when Hassan thumped home from close range to make it 2-1 and restore  the home side's one goal advantage.

Rangers were much better after the break and although City stuck to their guns and scrapped for everything they now had to chase the game for a second time and that inevitably meant gaps began to appear. Even so, City were a little hard done by after 65 minutes when Neill made it 3-1 from close range to give the valiant visitors just too much to do and the same p[layer then headed home a fourth on 70 to seal Rangers' progress.

No shame for the City boys. It has been a terrific adventure and they will have learned from every game played. A great experience, now go again...

CITY

Treml, Abdi-Spence, Dix, Took-Oxley, Parker-Hunt, Heap (Bennett 51), Tzengko, Stathi, Kauan (Price 75), Fornal, Green (Bampoh 69)

SUBS
Starkey, Goff, Maxwell, Robinson

Att:

Report by Chris Williams, pictures Ben Ashwin