Young Hoops book their place in the FA Youth Cup First Round.

Oxford City 5

Croker 53', 55', 69'

Taylor 68’

McConnell 76’

Street FC 1

Armani 34’

Oxford City U18's came from behind to produce a stunning second-half display to book their place in the first round of the FA Youth Cup.

Street took the lead in the first-half from the penalty spot after the referee judged that a City defender had handled inside the area.

However, Kevin Squirrell's side responded in scintillating fashion. 

There was a man of the match display from centre-half Phil Croker, who scored a sensational hat-trick.

Kenzie Taylor got in on the act with a stunning volley (that will be in with a shout of winning City's goal of the season competition), and Phil McConnell completed the rout with fifteen minutes to go, poking home Charlie Bacon's re-bounded shot.

First-Half

City started in a lively fashion, but Street Goalkeeper Ashby-Hammond was in fine form.

Firstly, Brayden Daniel slipped Kian Duggan through on goal, but the Street 'keeper made an impressive save to deny the City midfielder.

Daniel started the game well himself, but he found a match in Ashby-Hammond, who again denied City in fine fashion.

A low shot from the City midfielder looked like it was about to sneak into the bottom corner, but the Street #1 did well to stop the effort, getting down to his left quickly to parry the effort behind.

Daniel was constantly knocking on the door, and somehow didn't have a goal to his name.

Just before the half hour mark, he latched onto a terrific cross from Charlie Bacon, but couldn't find the target from inside the six-yard box.

Although, despite the Hoops' good start, it was the visitors who took the lead.

Joe Smart was judged to have handled the ball inside the box and the referee showed no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

Tristan Armani's composed finish, sent City goalkeeper Tom Russell the wrong way from 12-yards out to open the scoring.

Second-half

Despite being the better team in this cup tie, City went into the interval behind.

However, whatever Manager Squirrell said at half-time worked wonders, as what followed was an outstanding second-half performance.

Street continued to live life on the edge, but after a sumptuous corner was floated into the box, Phil Croker sent a looping header over the 'keeper and into the net. 

Just a minute later and the game had been completely turned on its head.

Again, Croker was the scorer, but this time the defender met Duggan's super corner with a thumping header to take the lead.

City could've had a third just moments later if it wasn't for more Ashby-Hammond heroics. Josh McConnell sent a curling shot towards goal that looked destined for the top corner, but somehow the Street 'keeper managed to tip the shot onto the crossbar.

Although, If the 'keeper did well to save that shot, there was absolutely nothing he could do about City's next goal.

After a corner was partially cleared to the edge of the box, Kenzie Taylor took aim with a powerful volley from 25-yards out which flew into the top corner. An outstanding goal from the young attacker, worthy of winning any game.

Moreover, again City scored twice in quick succession, and again scored another screamer.

Croker secured his hat-trick in some style after a free-kick was awarded just inside the Street half. The defender took the set-piece quickly and fired a powerful effort over Ashby-Hammond's head and into the net from long-range!

There was still time for a fifth. Josh McConnell was eventually rewarded for his hard work. Charlie Bacon used a quick turn of pace to burst past the Street backline, and shot towards goal.

Ashby-Hammond could only parry in front of him, and McConnell was ready and waiting to follow in from inside the box.

A superb performance from the Young Hoops, who now await their First Round opponents.

Match Details

Oxford City Starting XI: 

Russell, Bartlett, Scott, Smart, England, McConnell, Bacon, Duggan, Taylor, Daniel, Croker

Subs: Beckett, Dos Santos, Pearce, Al-Jabari, Ulas, Durnin