Oxfordshire's dreams of lifting the ESFA Under 16 Inter County Trophy were shattered with a 3-0 defeat by Durham in the final at St Andrew’s, Birmingham City.

Oxon started well, and both Bradley Evans and Sam Beaumont made excellent runs from midfield, but were reluctant to shoot from the edge of the penalty area.

After 15 minutes James Tanner cut inside the Durham full back and appeared to be brought down, but the referee waved away Oxfordshire’s penalty appeals.

Durham began to dominate, but the overworked Oxfordshire defence covered superbly, with Canice Carroll and Dan Bayliss to the fore.

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The north east county hit the underside of the bar just after half-time, but they took the lead soon afterwards following Oxfordshire`s first corner.

Kei Chamberlain slipped as he took the flag-kick, Durham broke away and Charlie Wigley finished clinically.

Oxfordshire rarely threatened, and Ben Hedley increased Durham’s lead with a low shot just inside the upright after 62 minutes.

Oxfordshire committed men forward, and Tremayne Barrett had a low shot turned round a post before Charlie Wigley took advantage of the extra space to add a third goal in stoppage time.