Match Day Thread Oxford U 2 v 3 Pompey - Youth Alliance League

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Pompey are level with Bournemouth at the Youth Alliance League summit after twice battling from behind to beat Oxford.

An own-goal meant they were trailing at the break, but Jack Fox levelled from a corner early in the second half.

United retook the lead through Enrique Tiamuna, but Mitch Aston (pictured) struck for the Blues and then teed-up substitute Sam Folarin to net the winner.

Assistant professional development phase coach Sam Hudson said: “It was a very different performance from us in each half and we weren’t particularly brave on the ball before the break.

“We lacked the courage to receive the ball under pressure and there was a lack of playing forward, so it was a struggle.

“It was a poor goal that we gave away to fall behind. We lost possession deep in their half after passing backwards three times. That was disappointing.

“We spoke to the boys at half-time and the difference was massive. We were much braver on the ball, allowing us to out-manoeuvre opponents in a 1v1 situation.

“Mitch, in particular, was outstanding with the ball, linking from back to front and adding forward runs.

“We got back level and despite conceding again from our own corner, we managed to score twice more.

“Two of our goals came from set-pieces and that’s down to the good work we do in that area on the training pitches.

“The lads showcased a lot of character and many of our academy values, such as showing pride and sticking together. It looked much more like a Pompey performance in the second half.”

Pompey: Bastian Smith; Jack Fox, Josh Dockerill, Brian Quarm; Koby Mottoh (Gabriel Kamavuako 69), Daniel Murray (Elliott Simpson 63), Mitch Aston, Harvey Laidlaw; Adam Payce; Jamie Howell, Maxwell Hurst (Sam Folarin 69)