Centre back Robbie Cundy grabbed a late winner as Oxfordshire fought back for a thrilling 3-2 win over Merseyside in the ESFA Under 14 Inter County Trophy semi-final at the Liverpool Soccer Centre.

After a goalless first half, Oxfordshire took the lead within two minutes of the restart when Giorgio Rasulo raced on to Eima Meade’s long ball to lob the keeper.

But Oxon’s joy was short-lived as Merseyside scored twice in the space of five minutes.

Goalkeeper Eddy Cavanagh brought down a home striker, and Ben Jago’s spot-kick went in via a post, before Callum Dyson beat the Oxon keeper to a cross for Merseyside’s second goal.

Cavanagh’s tremendous clearance set Luca Headford free to lob the Merseyside keeper for the equaliser.

Cundy then became the hero at both ends, making a perfectly-timed tackle to prevent Merseyside scoring, before heading home George Reid’s corner two minutes from time.

Now Oxon face the winners of tonight’s other semi-final between Surrey and Sussex, who meet at Chipstead FC.

l JOEL Thompson’s brace gave Vale of White Horse Schools Under 13s a 2-1 win over Chiltern & South Bucks in the Oxford United Cup semi-final at Milton United.

Chiltern netted the opener in the first half, scoring at the third attempt after goalkeeper Connor Johns had made a fine double save.

Thompson buried the equal-iser from 20 yards after the break, before volleying home Jack Powell’s free-kick for the winner.

Now Vale face Southampton in the final on a date and at a venue to be arranged.

l KIERAN Kerby’s spectacular second-half volley gave Vale of White Horse Under 11s a 1-0 win over Dacorum in the County League at Oxford Brookes Westminster Institute of Education.

Goalkeeper Tom Taylor made some fine saves as Vale recorded their first clean sheet of the season.

l MID Oxon take on Oldham in the ESFA Under 15 Trophy quarter-final at Ardley United tomorrow (7).