OXFORD City boss Mark Jones believes his side’s youth policy is refreshing in Vanarama National League South.

Jones named five players under the age of 20 in the squad for last week’s 1-1 draw with Dartford and could add to that for tomorrow’s trip to Weston-super-Mare.

Seventeen-year-old debutant Ezra Forde netted a late equaliser last weekend and Jones believes it is proof his plan is working.

He said: “I don’t think there are many other teams at our level doing this.

“Anyone can throw a load of kids on and get beaten, but we’re competing and getting results. That’s the pleasing thing for me.”

More of those youngsters could get their chance in the coming weeks as injuries to Freddie Grant (foot) and Reece Fleet (ankle) have left City’s small squad stretched thin.

Jack Tutton, 18, is added to the side this weekend and Jones believes he is another player with a bright future ahead of him.

“We’re missing a couple of our more established players, but that just means there’s another opportunity for our younger ones,” Jones said.

“I wouldn’t put them in if I didn’t think they were good enough.

“I certainly wouldn’t have let players like Shaun MacAuley and Tom Winters go if I didn’t think we had players good enough to replace them.”

Jones is now hopeful of a positive end to the season after a run of four games unbeaten.

He said: “The challenge to the players is to finish this season in the top half.

“There are 11 games to play, so there are still plenty of points to be picked up.

“We’ve been down the bottom end of the table for most of the season, so it would be nice for them to finish on a high.”

TOMORROW’S SQUAD

Oxford City (v Weston-super-Mare, away): from Hill, Poku, Henderson, Davies, Ngathe, Fondop, Louis, Ngamvoulou, Peake-Pijnen, Niate, Khawaja, Anderson, Carvalho, Forde, Tutton.