Anthony Henry scored the all-important goal as Oxfordshire Under 16s began their East Midlands Youth Combination campaign with a 1-0 victory over Leicestershire & Rutland at Thame United.
The goal came midway through the second half of an evenly-contested match.
Daniel Tompkins supplied the cross from which Henry headed firmly past the keeper from 12 yards.
The visitors never put Oxon keeper Bowden under pressure in the first half, while after the break, the hosts came into the game more and got their reward.
Oxon Under 18s open their South West Counties Youth Championship programme against Hampshire at BAT Sports FC, Southampton, on Saturday (2.30pm).
Nick King hit a great hat-trick as Saxton Rovers beat Stonesfield 4-3 in an exciting Elsevier Youth League Division 1 encounter.
Andrew Dyer scored the winner for Saxton, while on target for Stonesfield were Fitzgerald (2) and Higgs.
John Sparrowhawk (2) and James Allen helped Oxford City beat Abingdon Town 3-2. Stalcup and Blackmore replied for the losers.
Milton led Florence Park 2-0 at half-time in their Division 2 match, thanks to goals from Tom Argent and Luke Wheatley.
George Gibbons missed a great chance, but made amends with a brace of goals as Park came back to share the spoils.
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