OXFORD United’s friendly against Brentford B was a good chance to give first-team players some match action.

A squad mostly filled with youngsters from the club’s age-group sides included Jack Stevens, John Mousinho, Ryan Williams, Billy Bodin, Sam Winnall and Dan Agyei.

Read the match report here

The Premier League outfit lost 3-2, but the result was not important - here are four observations from the behind-closed-doors friendly at the U’s training ground.

GOOD TO SEE JACK BACK

The headline name on the United team-sheet was right at the top, as Jack Stevens started in goal.

The goalkeeper has been back in full training for almost three weeks, but is yet to make a matchday squad as the U’s manage his return carefully.

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Stevens showed quick reactions to save Daniel Oyegoke’s third-minute effort, only for Ryan Trevitt to finish from close range on the rebound.

The 24-year-old looked sharp with the ball at his feet and his distribution was good, but he will be disappointed he did not stop Nathan Young-Coombes’ effort for the third goal.

Stevens came off at half-time in a pre-planned change, although the fact he played just 45 minutes could be an indicator that he is not quite as close to a return as has been suggested.

NEW ROLE FOR RYAN

United lined-up in their normal 4-3-3, but it was a surprise to see Ryan Williams as one of the midfield trio.

On reflection, it should not be much of a shock - the Australian showed his versatility earlier in the season when filling in at full-back.

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Williams’s energy and ability to contribute at both ends of the pitch are well-suited to a midfield role, while he also scored with a firm header.

He is clearly never going to be first-choice in the middle of the park, but could be a useful option in the closing stages of matches - or if United are hit by injuries and suspensions.

WINNALL KEEPS BEES BUSY

Sam Winnall has not made a U’s appearance since September 4, but was promoted to the substitutes’ bench at MK Dons last Saturday on account of his performances in training.

The striker was up against Brentford’s biggest name, centre back Mads Bech Sorensen, who is returning from injury after playing 32 Sky Bet Championship games last season.

Winnall kept the Danish defender and partner Ben Hockenhull busy during his 70 minutes on the pitch and was one of the loudest players in a yellow shirt.

He was in the right place to score United’s equaliser just after the half-hour mark and could have had more as he found some good positions.

It will be interesting to see if Winnall stays on the bench for Saturday’s visit of Wigan Athletic as he hunts a first appearance in more than three months.

GOOD TEST FOR YOUNGSTERS

A game against a Premier League club’s B team was always going to be a good test for United’s young prospects, although only Ben Watt, James Golding, Michael Elechi, Ben Davis and Josh Johnson played more than 20 minutes.

Elechi, who has extended his loan at Salisbury by a further month, got forward well down the left and produced a great cross for Winnall’s goal.

Watt and Golding will also have learnt a lot from playing either side of John Mousinho, who got 70 minutes after returning from Covid isolation last month.

With Karl Robinson also offering advice from the touchline, you can see why games like these are so helpful for youngsters' development.