FINDING the right home is not always straightforward for young players, but a former Oxford United pair have had seasons to remember.

Tyrone Marsh bagged his ninth goal of the campaign to help Macclesfield Town win the Vanarama National League title last Saturday.

Less than three hours later, former U’s teammate Max Crocombe was celebrating Salford City’s Vanarama National North success.

Both came through the youth set-up at Roman Way but had to leave United in search of regular football.

There have been false starts along the way, but the 24-year-olds are now flourishing.

Marsh said: “At the start of the season we didn’t think we were going to go up, so it’s a miracle really.

“I have been around a few places and done well in some of them.

“I was scrambling a bit last year, but I spoke to Macclesfield and the manager (John Askey) liked me straight away.

“Ever since I came in he’s trusted me and worked with me.

“Making my debut for Oxford was good, but winning promotion was the best moment in my career so far. It’s nice to be back in the League.”

While Macclesfield were a surprise package, expectations were sky high at Salford, co-owned by ex-Manchester United players Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt.

It was the reason Crocombe opted to move down two levels last summer after leaving Carlisle United – where opportunities for the goalkeeper had been as limited as they had been at Oxford.

He said: “The reason for dropping those divisions was to get settled somewhere I felt was going to keep pushing on but where I could be a part of it.

“I had offers to stay higher, but I felt it was a good challenge.

“With the publicity around the team there’s a lot of pressure and it’s been one hell of a journey.

“I’ve learned what it’s like to be a scalp.

“The aim was to win the league and only when I got going, did I realise how hard it was going to be.”

It completed a fantastic month for Crocombe, following on from his senior debut for New Zealand.

But while he had to leave United to begin fulfilling his ambitions, the goalkeeper retains a soft spot for the club.

He said: “It just never fell for me and sometimes you have just got to accept that.

“It was a shame with how much I loved Oxford.

“The club is outstanding and I’ve always be determined to keep that level of professionalism.

“I look back on that time with fond memories and always look out for their results.

“Obviously Callum (O’Dowda)’s doing great, there’s Canice (Carroll) and Malachi (Napa), Ruffs (Josh Ruffels) and Sam Long.

“There’s a lot of players coming through. It’s quite magic to see.

“It’s credit to the work they do that so many of us are still in the game.”