Oxford United Reserves 0 Northampton Town Reserves 1

Northampton temporarily put the anticipation surrounding Sunday’s cup tie against Manchester United to one side to record a 1-0 win over the Us’ second string in a friendly at Iffley Road.

The main controversy of a scrappy meeting was the decision to play only 40 minutes each way, which caused some disagreement before kick-off. The game itself, featuring an appearance by Jefferson Louis as an emergency right back, only really came alive in the closing stages. Northampton’s winner came six minutes from time through 19 year old midfielder Aaron Cavill, whose only league appearance to date was as a substitute for two minutes at the end of Northampton’s 4-2 loss at Oldham in August 2001. Impressive forward Steve Morison reached the byline on the right and cut the ball back. A first close range effort was scrambled off the line and fisted away by a sprawling Simon Cox, only for the ball to fall to Cavill following in on the left edge of the six yard box, from where he side-footed in off the underside of the bar.

There was still time for Oxford to find an equaliser and Julian Alsop, dominant in the air throughout, was unlucky to see his header from a cross by ROS Chris Hackett bounce up and away off the keeper’s left hand post four minutes later. Right on the whistle Danny Brown ran on to an Alsop knockdown but couldn’t force the ball under the goalkeeper. Earlier, Mark Rawle had been pacy and skilfull in working himself into scoring positions but rushed his finishing, notably when he determinedly stole the ball from the keeper’s toes as they ran away from goal, only to turn too tightly and fire into the side-netting when better options were available.

United fielded a strong side, which also featured Jon Ashton, Dave Waterman, Jamie Brooks and Dave Oldfield in addition to those already mentioned. The club has another behind closed doors friendly against Derby on Saturday, and is hoping to arrange a game against Hereford, also behind closed doors, for Monday.

In brief

Derek Townsley has signed for Gretna on a three and a half years contract. He formerly played for the Black and Whites when they were in the UniBond League.

United’s home game against Scunthorpe, due to be played this Saturday, has been rearranged for Wednesday February 11th. Rage On, also due to appear this weekend, has been rearranged for Saturday January 31st (deadline for contributions is now this Saturday).