CRAIG Davies's stunning debut, and a more than competent performance from Bradie Clarke, have given Oxford United's youth development team a massive lift, writes Jon Murray.

And youth development officer Les Taylor declared: "There are plenty more where they came from."

He added: "We've got some very, very good young players at this club, right down to under nine level."

Former Manchester City trainee Davies, 18, was named virtually everybody's man of the match for his exciting performance in his first senior start in Saturday's 2-1 win over Cambridge at the Kassam Stad- ium.

Taylor confidently declared: "He's ready."

"The thing with Craig is you can put him in and you know what you're going to get.

"And that's the things with kids. They play without fear. Sometimes senior players are weighed down by the pressure of being near the bottom of the table or a lack of confidence through bad results, but kids will just go out and play without fear." A delighted Davies, who had made his first-team debut as a substitute against Notts County, told United's website how the supporters helped him settle.

"The fans were excellent and really helped.

"They gave me a good reception before the game when I was a little bit nervous because I was keeping a couple of people out of the side and just wanted to do well.

"Hopefully, I impressed the fans in return. I know what I am capable of, and know I can do that week in, week out."

Clarke also impressed all those who have helped him to reach this stage.

"He was released by Reading and he's been coming along steadily for us," Taylor said.

"He's a great size for a keeper, which is important. He's still got a lot to learn but can be pleased with his debut.

"His first kick was an awful one, which was probably down to nerves.

"But he then took a difficult high catch under pressure which helped his confidence and then made a great reaction save in the first half."

"When two lads like this do well, it makes people sit up and take notice, but clubs like us will always blood young players when we get the chance.

"Then it's down to them whether they go on to become regular first-team players.

"It's great, though, and this is a reward for all the hard work, and often unseen work, from all the part-time coaches, who help with these players' development."