Lacey made his senior U’s debut in a 1-0 FA Cup defeat at home to Stevenage, starting the match and playing 90 minutes at the Kassam Stadium.

Boro captain Carl Piergianni scored the only goal of the game in the fourth minute, knocking Oxford out of the competition in the First Round.

The centre back was recalled from a loan spell at National League South outfit Chesham United late in the week before Aaron Ramsey handed him his debut.

Speaking after his first Yellows appearance, Lacey detailed his hectic week: “I kind of heard about it on Thursday, and then it was confirmed on Friday.

“It was a shock, I suppose, something that came quite quick.

“To be honest, I thought I was cup-tied, but there’s a good rule there that’s saved me.

Oxford United defender Aaron Lacey made his senior debut against Stevenage (Image: Darrell Fisher)

“It’s been a really good week and, I really enjoyed it out there.

“I’m very grateful for the gaffer putting his trust in me and it was great to see some of the other lads out there too.”

The academy graduate played 12 for Chesham before his recall in what was his third loan spell away from the U’s.

The teenager had a brief spell at Oxford City last season but only managed one appearance.

He then went out to Chesham’s league rivals Hampton & Richmond Borough where he played 18 times as well as scoring a very impressive four goals for the Beavers.

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Asked whether he expects to be sent out on loan for a second time this campaign, Lacey replied: “It’s not really my call, 100 per cent.

“Obviously, my priority is getting as close to the first team as I can.

“If there’s an opportunity, any opportunities here, that will take priority.

“If that’s not the case, then… maybe the club will go back down the route of a loan.

Oxford United youngsters James Golding (left) and Aaron Lacey (right) (Image: Darrell Fisher)

“But, right now, I’m going to focus on playing for Oxford and we’ll see how far that gets me.

“If it means going back out on loan to develop again, to get as close as I can, so be it. But it’s not exactly in my hands.”

When at the club, Lacey has plenty of experienced, top level teammates to look up to, particularly in his position.

The defender continued: “Ciaron Brown, Michal Helik and Sam Long, James Golding also, they’ve all been at the club for quite a few years now and watching them last year in the Championship has been brilliant.

“They’re great players and it’s a very competitive squad.

“A lot of them shone in the Championship and are absolutely shining this year.

“It’s brilliant to learn from them.”

Boro centre back Carl Piergianni’s fourth-minute header was enough to send Oxford crashing out of the cup in the First Round.

The U’s made 10 changes from the midweek win over Reading, goalkeeper Simon Eastwood the only remaining name in the side.

15 of the 20-man squad on Saturday were aged 23 or under, with four academy graduates making their debut as Ramsey rested numerous senior players in the cup competition.

After playing in front of a much smaller crowd than usual at the Kassam Stadium, Ramsey explained his squad selection: “From the Reading game and the intensity and the knocks and things that we picked up from that game, we needed to rotate.

“The schedule has been really demanding lately as well.

“You have to use the squad, which I’m more than comfortable doing, which I’ve done in every game so far. Not just this game.

Harrison Bradney makes a challenge (Image: Darrell Fisher)

“I expect us to go out there and compete to win a football game. The full intention is just to win this game.

“It felt like the players that were there on the pitch, on the bench, are all ready to contribute to that.

“I think we look at the bigger picture as well.

“It was a really proud day that we had 14 players of the academy involved today.”

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There was obvious disappointment that the U’s had bowed out of the world-famous FA Cup at the first time of asking, but Ramsey insisted that he still recognises the significance of cup competitions.

The former Arsenal midfielder continued: “We’re all disappointed that we lost the game.

“We always want to go out and win a game of football, but this is a competition that I’ve personally had some success in.

“I know how much this competition means and the opportunities that you can have in here.

“We’re disappointed, but, look, we’re not going to… beat ourselves up too much.

“We’ve got plenty of games coming up now and we have to dust ourselves down and go again Tuesday because there’s another competition that we want to advance in.”

Senior pro Tyler Goodrham was one of the better performers in the Oxford side against Stevenage.

Oxford United midfielder Tyler Goodrham (Image: Darrell Fisher)

Goodrham was a last-minute addition to the starting XI, replacing Louie Sibley who missed out through illness, meaning there was one less experienced face on the bench.

Ramsey touched on Sibley’s absence: “He felt a bit sick.

“So we had to make that decision and he couldn’t have played today.

“Sib’s in there [brings] that bit of steel that he can compete the second balls and what he brings to the attacking side of the game as well.”

The Yellows look ahead to another home fixture on Tuesday night, hosting League Two side Cheltenham Town in the Jersey Mike’s Trophy group stage.

A youthful U’s team faced a full strength Boro whose fourth-minute goal from Carl Piergianni was enough to see them victorious at the Kassam Stadium.

Four senior debuts were handed out by head coach Aaron Ramsey in an underwhelming cup tie.

Here is how we rated the Yellows on Saturday…

Simon Eastwood – 7

Made three strong saves to keep the score down to just one goal, performing well when called upon once again.

Sam Long – 5.5

Admittedly, right back is probably not his preferred position and he has not played many minutes in recent weeks.

Looked slightly rusty because of it.

Aaron Lacey – 5

By no means disgraced after being thrown into the starting XI only days after returning from a loan spell at Chesham United.

Attackers Ben Broggio and Tugra Turhan proved a nifty duo and Carl Piergianni was too strong in the air for his goal.

Oxford United youngsters James Golding (left) and Aaron Lacey (right) (Image: Darrell Fisher)

James Golding – 6.5

More solid in defence and carried the ball forward with confidence.

Some good headed clearances and one just in front of the goal line.

Greg Leigh – 7

A crucial tackle on Turhan in the first half, another important hooked clearance and a threat in the opposing box.

Harrison Bradney – 6

Gave away a good few niggly fouls but was lively, wanting to get stuck in and pulling off some good sweeping passes.

A shot in the first half forced a good save from Tommy Setford.

Harrison Bradney makes a challenge (Image: Darrell Fisher)

Tyler Goodrham – 7

The most mature performance of the day, showing for the ball constantly with some inch-perfect passes forward and set piece deliveries.

Mo Missanga – 6

Grew into the game after running into some walls early on.

Boro defender Saxon Earley dealt with his threat fairly well in the first half with Missanga seeing less of the ball on the left flank in the second.

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Luka Lynch – 4.5

Frustrated as a no.10, often too slow, lingering and losing the ball, with his weight of pass slightly off.

Improved when moved to the right flank but just was not his day.

Leo Snowden – 5.5

Never truly involved in attacking moves but offered some decent movement.

Gatlin O’Donkor – 6.5

A good showing from the striker against a team he has already scored against this season.

Made some great runs, worked hard and would have scored if it was not for a quality Setford save at point blank range.

Substitutes:

(Image: Darrell Fisher)

Ruben Roosken – 6

Good to see the Dutchman back for his first appearance since pre-season.

Aidomo Emakhu – 6

Offered some fresh legs but struggled to find any clear openings.

Josh Holton – N/A

Jack Lee – N/A

Maeson Vaughan – N/A