OXFORD United’s in-form under 18s will attempt to play their FA Youth Cup tie for the third time tonight (Wednesday, Jan 9, 7).

The third-round clash with Barnsley was postponed twice last month, with the pitch at Thame United’s ASM Stadium firstly frozen and then waterlogged.

There are no such concerns this evening, allowing the U’s to finally get a crack at the Championship club’s youth side.

Chris Allen’s boys have won their last 13 competitive games and beat Portsmouth 2-1 on Saturday in a friendly organised as a warm-up for the cup game.

The youth team boss said: “They looked a bit rusty early on because we hadn’t played for three weeks, but we looked a good side in the end and hopefully we can take that into the Barnsley game.

“You’d think we’re the underdogs, but in youth football you never know.

“We’ll have a right go, for sure.”