York City 0, Oxford Utd 1

8:28am Wednesday 16th April 2008

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YORK City lost their fifth game in six matches last night but Colin Walker's baby-faced side showed plenty of teen spirit before going down 1-0 to Oxford United.

Walker fielded four players in his starting line-up yet to reach their 20s in Onome Sodje (19), Jimmy Beadle (19), Josh Mimms (18) and Andy McWilliams (18).

He also introduced two more in the second half - Liam Shepherd (18) and Adam Boyes (17) - after a combination of suspension and injuries had deprived the City chief of nine professionals.

But the patched-up Minstermen deserved at least a point from a game Oxford won with a 48th-minute Eddie Anaclet goal that proved their only on-target effort of the night.

Despite being the most experienced of the youngsters, Sodje probably had the quietest game as he and 20-year-old veteran Richard Brodie flanked lone striker Leo Fortune-West.

Both McWilliams and Beadle, though, seized their opportunity to make an impression in front of a supportive KitKat Crescent crowd.

Left-back McWilliams made an encouraging debut in difficult circumstances as a second-half substitute during eight-man City's 3-2 defeat against Woking on Saturday and built on that performance with another positive display, making crucial tackles and choosing the appropriate times to join in attacking moves.

Beadle, meanwhile, provided a composed presence as City's midfield anchor-man and stuck to his task admirably until tiring in the later stages.

Former Liverpool apprentice Mimms also showed character having let in nine goals in his two previous starts.

His judgement and handling was strong throughout and, although he might have been outmuscled for the Oxford goal, that was the only blemish on an otherwise assured evening.

The sprightly Shepherd and intelligent Boyes also gave strong cameo displays again, highlighting the importance of the current campaign to save the youth team.

And, had the home side made their superiority count in front of goal during a first half characterised by attractive possession football, then the Minstermites would surely have been celebrating three points instead of reflecting on a third successive KitKat Crescent reverse.

McWilliams set the tone when an excellent second-minute cross that narrowly eluded the recalled Leo Fortune-West.

Moments later, Fortune-West's smart 20-yard shot on the turn dipped just over visiting 'keeper Billy Turley's crossbar.

Turley was then fortunate when Martyn Woolford's swerving low drive from 25 yards hit the underside of his body and somehow bounced over the bar.

On 16 minutes, Fortune-West dragged an eight-yard chance wide after turning Oxford defender Barry Quinn but, shortly afterwards, the visitors managed their only noteworthy attempt of the opening 45 minutes when a terrific dipping 30-yard volley from Yemi Odubade beat Mimms but flashed wide.

At the other end, Woolford missed the target from 20 yards and a strong run by Brodie ended with a left-footed drive that was deflected over.

After the interval, Oxford denied City the same amount of space they had afforded the home team in the first half and went ahead when Odubade challenged a hesitant Mimms in the air from a hopeful cross that bounced in the six-yard box.

The ball then broke loose to Anaclet, who volleyed into the inviting net from six yards.

Shortly afterwards, Beadle and Woolford cut through the Oxford midfield brilliantly by exchanging passes with each other twice before the former Frickley winger's 25-yard drive was gathered at the second attempt by a shaky Turley.

As Beadle and Manny Panther's lack of match fitness caught up with them, however, City's dominance diminished and Adam Murray drove narrowly wide from 25 yards.

But the Minstermen summoned up one last effort and, in the closing stages, Panther had a low drive cleared off the line by Quinn and Woolford curled an 89th-minute free-kick inches over Turley's crossbar.

Referee Dean Mohareb's final whistle then signalled a happy return to Bootham Crescent for Oxford boss Darren Patterson and ended a seven-year jinx.

The former Northern Ireland international spent two months on loan with the Minstermen in 2000/2001 but was on the losing side every time he played in front of the City fans.

Match facts

York City 0, Oxford Utd 1 (Anaclet 48)

York City: Josh Mimms 7, Ben Purkiss 6, David McGurk 7, Danny Parslow 7, Jimmy Beadle 8, Andy McWilliams 8, Manny Panther 7, Martyn Woolford 8, Leo Fortune-West 7, Onome Sodje 6, Richard Brodie 7.

Substitutions: Shepherd (for Brodie, 79), Boyes (for Beadle, 88).

Subs not used: Robinson, McDonald, Lloyd.

Key: 10 - Faultless; 9 - Outstanding; 8 - Excellent; 7 - Good; 6 - Average; 5 - Below par; 4 - Poor; 3 - Dud; 2 - Hopeless; 1 - Retire

City's star man: McWilliams - very promising full debut from the enthusiastic teenager.

Oxford: Billy Turley, James Clarke, Barry Quinn, Matt Day, Eddie Anaclet, Jamie Hand, Adam Murray, Phil Trainer, Michael Howard, Yemi Odubade (Justin Richards, 87), Matt Green (Craig McAllister, 64).

Subs: Carl Pettefer, Eddie Hutchinson, Danny Rose.

Yellow cards: None.

Shots on target: York 4, Oxford 1

Shots off target: York 9, Oxford 5

Corners: York 7, Oxford 5

Fouls conceded: York 7, Oxford 10

Offsides: York 4, Oxford 7

Referee: Dean Mohareb (Stockport).

Rating: Sensible and in control of proceedings throughout.

Attendance: 1,808.

Cross of the match: McWilliams' second-minute centre begging to be headed in.

Shot of the match: Odubade's speculative long-range volley.

Tackle of the match: McWilliams' perfectly-timed sliding challenge in the penalty box on Odubade.

City player watch: Jimmy Beadle

Goal attempts on target: 0

Goal attempts off target: 1

Blocked goal attempts: 0

Passes to own player: 35

Passes to opposition: 10

Crosses to own player: 0

Crosses to opposition: 0

Pass success rate: 77.8 per cent

Dribbles ball retained: 3

Dribbles ball lost: 3

Dribble success rate: 50 per cent

Headers: 11

Tackles: 8

Clearances, blocks and interceptions: 5

Free-kicks won: 0

Free-kicks conceded: 1

Offsides: 1

Bookings: 0

Final summary: Enjoyed an impressive debut as City's midfield anchor. He was especially prominent in the first half but was always a willing recipient of the ball and his distribution also proved reliable. Won his fair share of headers - as you would expect from a centre-back - and was disciplined with his tackles, winning eight fouls and conceding just one free-kick.