A STRONG Oxford United side scored in each half to reach the Oxfordshire Senior Cup final at Thame United’s expense.

The U’s line-up boasted several players with first-team experience but the Pitching In Southern League Division 1 Central outfit made them work hard for victory at Court Place Farm.

Despite the number of senior figures in the XI, it was two of United’s rising stars who scored as Adam Smith and Tyler Goodrham struck either side of the break.

It saw the U’s reach their first Senior Cup final since 2017 and they await the winners of Oxford City’s tie with North Leigh on March 29.

United’s starting XI featured seven senior players, including five who were in the squad for Saturday’s Sky Bet League One win over Burton Albion.

The U’s controlled possession from the off and, other than a couple of Thame forays upfield, the early stages were played entirely in the lower division side’s half.

The best chance of the first 20 minutes fell to the Division 1 Central outfit, as a free-kick popped up for Ryan Blake to head over the bar from eight yards.

United continued to move the ball neatly in their opponents’ half without seriously threatening Craig Hill’s goal, while one wild challenge from Jack Tutton on Marcus McGuane earned the midfielder a talking-to.

The end product was not quite there, until a moment of quality put the U’s ahead just before the break.

United moved the ball down their left and Goodrham reached it at the byline, dinking a cross into the six-yard box for Smith to glance a header into the net.

John Mousinho flashed an effort wide after the restart, before fellow centre back James Golding had a double chance as Hill saved his first shot and a defender blocked the follow-up.

The U’s gave themselves breathing space midway through the second half as Goodrham added to his earlier assist. Davis showed quick thinking to improvise a flick over the Thame back four and the Slough Town loanee finished on the half-volley.

That was the last action from Davis as he came off for Leon Chambers-Parillon and United’s third almost followed, Smith forcing Hill into a good save at his near post.

The substitutions continued as Andy Gledhill replaced former U’s defender David Lynn and Josh Anifowose came on for Oisin Smyth.

McGuane flashed a shot across the face of goal late on, while Ben Watt came on for Adam Smith as United saw out victory.

Oxford United (3-1-4-2): Eastwood, Golding, Mousinho, Elechi, Smyth (Anifowose 76), Forde, Davis (Chambers-Parillon 67), McGuane, Seddon, Smith (Watt 88), Goodrham.

Unused subs: Plumley, Nosakhare.

Booked: None.

Thame United (4-3-3): Hill, Mepham, Gilmore, Lynn (Gledhill 71), Jones, West, Tutton, Tompkins, Pearce, Goss, Blake.

Unused subs: Alexander.

Booked: Gilmore.

Referee: Anthony Coggins.