OXFORD United’s under 16s have the chance to win a national title this weekend.

They will face Hartlepool United at Derby County’s training ground on Sunday in the final of the competition for clubs with Category 3 academies.

United won the south west section, which included Bournemouth, before beating south east champions AFC Wimbledon last month.

Coach Kieran Hayes said: “The work the boys have put in to achieve what they’ve done is brilliant.

“Some of these lads have been with us since they were nine or ten years old.

“A lot of what we focus on at under 16 level is development and learning the game to get better, but it’s a cup final so we want to win.”

The squad are also going to be at the Kassam Stadium tomorrow for a matchday experience.

Hayes said: “Some of them will be on the pitch at half-time.

“It’s something we’re going to do across the academy and hopefully it will give them a bit of an insight into what life could be like should they be successful.”