The Raw Charging Stadium, as it is now called, is no more than half an hour from home. It's somewhere I know quite well not just because I've watched Oxford City teams play there but also because City's junior teams have always been in the same league as my daughter's team, so I've been there as a coach and a parent, on many occasions.
It was again my destination this Sunday as I headed over to watch the Southern Region Premier League clash between the unbeaten Hoops and former National League side, Selsey. Before kick-off City sat in second place, level on pints with Ascot but below them on goal difference. Selsey, yet to win, were in seventh spot with just a single point on the board.
This was the first time I had seen any City side play this season and, although I had seen pictures of their new home shirt, I hadn't fully appreciated just how good it is. It really is a thing of beauty.
It was again my destination this Sunday as I headed over to watch the Southern Region Premier League clash between the unbeaten Hoops and former National League side, Selsey. Before kick-off City sat in second place, level on pints with Ascot but below them on goal difference. Selsey, yet to win, were in seventh spot with just a single point on the board.
This was the first time I had seen any City side play this season and, although I had seen pictures of their new home shirt, I hadn't fully appreciated just how good it is. It really is a thing of beauty.
Selsey under 1st half pressure Selsey, in their change kit of yellow shirts and back shorts, got us under way, but it was the home side who were the first to get a shot away in anger. Last season's top scorer, Ellie White, now occupying a deeper role, with the shot that visiting goalkeeper Sophie Campbell saved well. A few minutes later, White turned provider with a little through ball that set captain Georgina Tayman in on goal. However, Campbell was quick and brave, throwing herself at the captain's feet to make the save. The loose ball was them fired over by Kaitlyn Crouch.
Oxford were clearly looking for an early goal, keen to make amends for last week's FA Cup exit to Woodley. They didn't have to wait too long either. In the 12th minute a searching diagonal ball found Lucy White on the right touchline. She drove forward and attempted to swing the ball into a dangerous spot in the area. Whether she meant it to be quite so dangerous is up for debate, but the ball looped over Campbell into the back of the net. 1-0.
It was a good start from the home team. A goal up and controlling the game. However, they very nearly found themselves back to square one in the 19th minute when a Selsey free-kick was delivered into the penalty area. It looked to be quite innocuous as it bounced through toward goalkeeper Keira Maskell. Maybe it too a little skip off the surface, but somehow it came loose from the goalkeeper, sparking a mad scramble in the six-yard area during which a number of players attempted to get the ball over the line and at least one effort was cleared from the goal line. Eventually, however, Oxford did manage to clear their lines with no damage done.
Credit to The Seals, they were working hard to gain a foothold in the game, but were always at threat from balls in behind their back line, particularly in the left where Anaya Grey was getting a lot of freedom. This route came close to getting a second goal for Oxford when Grey was set loose again before pulling the ball back for Tayman to strike into the side-netting.
Ellie White then drew another good save from Campbell before the same player exchanged a one-two in midfield and unleashed a dipping drive that was only narrowly too high. Oxford continued to pose a threat to the visitors, but were not quite able to find a route to goal and, while it was still only 1-0, Selsey were always just a mistake or a good strike away from getting back in the game. That almost happened in the 38th minute when Kate Delillis's well struck free-kick left Maskell stranded before thumping off the crossbar and flying to safety.
Four minutes later the home side were very fortunate once more when Maskell, looking to pick out a midfielder with a clearance, gifted the ball to the Nancy Sanderson some 25 yards from goal. With the goalkeeper out of position and well off her line, it was a golden opportunity that, unfortunately for Selsey, went the wrong side of the post. A massive let-off for City and a golden opportunity to go in level at the break, wasted for Selsey.
HT Oxford City 1 Selsey 0. A half that, in the main, had been controlled by Oxford. However, as the final few minutes showed, a one goal lead can be very precarious. If the free-kick had been an inch lower and Sanderson's strike a foot to the left, the Hoops could have found themselves 2-1 behind in a game they had largely dominated.
Oxford were clearly looking for an early goal, keen to make amends for last week's FA Cup exit to Woodley. They didn't have to wait too long either. In the 12th minute a searching diagonal ball found Lucy White on the right touchline. She drove forward and attempted to swing the ball into a dangerous spot in the area. Whether she meant it to be quite so dangerous is up for debate, but the ball looped over Campbell into the back of the net. 1-0.
It was a good start from the home team. A goal up and controlling the game. However, they very nearly found themselves back to square one in the 19th minute when a Selsey free-kick was delivered into the penalty area. It looked to be quite innocuous as it bounced through toward goalkeeper Keira Maskell. Maybe it too a little skip off the surface, but somehow it came loose from the goalkeeper, sparking a mad scramble in the six-yard area during which a number of players attempted to get the ball over the line and at least one effort was cleared from the goal line. Eventually, however, Oxford did manage to clear their lines with no damage done.
Credit to The Seals, they were working hard to gain a foothold in the game, but were always at threat from balls in behind their back line, particularly in the left where Anaya Grey was getting a lot of freedom. This route came close to getting a second goal for Oxford when Grey was set loose again before pulling the ball back for Tayman to strike into the side-netting.
Ellie White then drew another good save from Campbell before the same player exchanged a one-two in midfield and unleashed a dipping drive that was only narrowly too high. Oxford continued to pose a threat to the visitors, but were not quite able to find a route to goal and, while it was still only 1-0, Selsey were always just a mistake or a good strike away from getting back in the game. That almost happened in the 38th minute when Kate Delillis's well struck free-kick left Maskell stranded before thumping off the crossbar and flying to safety.
Four minutes later the home side were very fortunate once more when Maskell, looking to pick out a midfielder with a clearance, gifted the ball to the Nancy Sanderson some 25 yards from goal. With the goalkeeper out of position and well off her line, it was a golden opportunity that, unfortunately for Selsey, went the wrong side of the post. A massive let-off for City and a golden opportunity to go in level at the break, wasted for Selsey.
HT Oxford City 1 Selsey 0. A half that, in the main, had been controlled by Oxford. However, as the final few minutes showed, a one goal lead can be very precarious. If the free-kick had been an inch lower and Sanderson's strike a foot to the left, the Hoops could have found themselves 2-1 behind in a game they had largely dominated.
Donohoe delivers another cross Maybe this points was driven home to the City players at half-time because they came out firing in the second period. A change in formation, with Tayman sitting out for a while, Emily Harris coming in on the right and Lucy White moving to a more central striking role alongside Crouch. Within a few minutes they managed to get Ellie White clear on the right, with a run on goal. She chose to, unselfishly, square the ball when many players would have had a shot. However, the ball in was not quite accurate enough and Selsey managed to clear. Undeterred, Oxford continued to push for a second goal and four minutes later it arrived, from an unusual source. A corner on the right was taken by left-back Emma Donohoe, who sent the ball in toward the back post, curling it in with some help from the wind, over Campbell and into the far corner. 2-0
That goal could well have signalled the floodgates to open but, instead, Selsey hit back almost immediately through Isabelle Wheatley with a more than speculative effort from all of 30 yards. It looked like an easy gather for Maskell but somehow the ball slipped through her grasp and rolled over the line. 2-1
Suddenly Selsey were keen to shoot from way out. A few minutes later Sarah Walford had another try from 25 yards but this time Maskell got safely behind the strike.
This Oxford side like to control games though and, after a few shaky minutes, they re-established their grip. Seven minutes after the hour, they regained their two goal advantage. A corner from the left this time, again taken by Emma Donohoe, was played toward the far post. Eventually the ball found its way back to Donohoe inside the left-hand side of the penalty area, where the left-back, seeing Campbell off her line, deliberately placed a side-footed effort over the keeper into the far corner. 3-1
That goal could well have signalled the floodgates to open but, instead, Selsey hit back almost immediately through Isabelle Wheatley with a more than speculative effort from all of 30 yards. It looked like an easy gather for Maskell but somehow the ball slipped through her grasp and rolled over the line. 2-1
Suddenly Selsey were keen to shoot from way out. A few minutes later Sarah Walford had another try from 25 yards but this time Maskell got safely behind the strike.
This Oxford side like to control games though and, after a few shaky minutes, they re-established their grip. Seven minutes after the hour, they regained their two goal advantage. A corner from the left this time, again taken by Emma Donohoe, was played toward the far post. Eventually the ball found its way back to Donohoe inside the left-hand side of the penalty area, where the left-back, seeing Campbell off her line, deliberately placed a side-footed effort over the keeper into the far corner. 3-1
Emma Donohoe wheels away with the ball in the Selsey net As with the last goal, Selsey tried to hit back immediately, when Isabelle Childs was sent clean through. However, making up for her previous faux pas, Maskell was quick off her line to smother the chance. That proved to be Selsey's last real opportunity a Oxford began to look for ways to improve their goal difference.
Kaitlyn Crouch certainly helped this in the 78th minute, winning the ball back 30 yards out before driving forward a few steps and then unleashing a piledriver into the top corner. What a strike! 4-1
It was all Oxford now. Selsey were beaten for sure and were probably just wanting the final whistle to come.
With five minutes remaining, Donohoe almost repeated her corner kick goal, sending another ball looping toward the back post. However, Selsey had clearly learned their lesson and had stationed a defender at the back, who headed clear. Georgina Tayman, now back on, then took on a shot, striking it early before Campbell could get set. The keeper dong very well to adjust her feet and throw herself to he left to make the save.
However, a minute later, there was nothing Campbell could do to stop the fifth Hoops goal. Kaitlyn Crouch took a shot form the edge of the area that was blocked. She reacted quickest, picking up the loose ball before waltzing past a couple of challenges and sliding the ball past the exposed goalkeeper. 5-1
A minute from time, another corner routine almost paid dividends again. This time Donohoe played it short before receiving the ball back and curling an effort toward the far post. It beat Campbell but was, once more, headed off the line. Then in the last minute of normal time, another corner from the right found Tayman steaming in from the left wing. She met the ball on the volley and was unlucky to see her strike crash back off the bar.
FT Oxford City 5 Selsey 1. A dominant display from The Hoops, who too control early on and rarely looked troubled by Selsey. The Seals struggled to cope with the movement and fluidity that Oxford have up front, where they can mix and match players across the pitch, making it very difficult for defenders to pick a player to mark. For their part, Selsey showed some signs that their current position does not tell the entire tale. They are capable of knocking the ball about well when given some space and, with a bit more luck and some better finishing, could have had two or three goals in this game.
The victory keeps Oxford on the coat tails of Ascot United, who also won. However, the goal difference between the sides has now been reduced to six goals and, guess what? They meet at The Racecourse Ground next weekend.
Selsey drop to second from bottom, a point clear of Reading at the foot. Next weekend the Seals welcome Woodley United to the Seal Bay Resort Stadium
Oxford City: Maskell, Kehayova, Le Beau, 2.Bough-French, 4.Tayman(c), 3.Donohoe, O'Leary, Grey, 14.L.White, 10.E.White, 12.Crouch. Subs: Hume, 11.Harris
Selsey: 1.Campbell, 3.Guymer, 5.G.Morris, 6.Halford(c), 7.Sanderson, 8.Delillis, 9.Jefkins, 11.Walford, 14.Wheatley, 15.West, 21.Kelly-Stoner. Subs: 2. Evans, 4.Davey, 9.Childs, 17.K.Morris
Ground Number: Re-visit
Att:
Entrance: £3.00
Programme: N/A
Kaitlyn Crouch certainly helped this in the 78th minute, winning the ball back 30 yards out before driving forward a few steps and then unleashing a piledriver into the top corner. What a strike! 4-1
It was all Oxford now. Selsey were beaten for sure and were probably just wanting the final whistle to come.
With five minutes remaining, Donohoe almost repeated her corner kick goal, sending another ball looping toward the back post. However, Selsey had clearly learned their lesson and had stationed a defender at the back, who headed clear. Georgina Tayman, now back on, then took on a shot, striking it early before Campbell could get set. The keeper dong very well to adjust her feet and throw herself to he left to make the save.
However, a minute later, there was nothing Campbell could do to stop the fifth Hoops goal. Kaitlyn Crouch took a shot form the edge of the area that was blocked. She reacted quickest, picking up the loose ball before waltzing past a couple of challenges and sliding the ball past the exposed goalkeeper. 5-1
A minute from time, another corner routine almost paid dividends again. This time Donohoe played it short before receiving the ball back and curling an effort toward the far post. It beat Campbell but was, once more, headed off the line. Then in the last minute of normal time, another corner from the right found Tayman steaming in from the left wing. She met the ball on the volley and was unlucky to see her strike crash back off the bar.
FT Oxford City 5 Selsey 1. A dominant display from The Hoops, who too control early on and rarely looked troubled by Selsey. The Seals struggled to cope with the movement and fluidity that Oxford have up front, where they can mix and match players across the pitch, making it very difficult for defenders to pick a player to mark. For their part, Selsey showed some signs that their current position does not tell the entire tale. They are capable of knocking the ball about well when given some space and, with a bit more luck and some better finishing, could have had two or three goals in this game.
The victory keeps Oxford on the coat tails of Ascot United, who also won. However, the goal difference between the sides has now been reduced to six goals and, guess what? They meet at The Racecourse Ground next weekend.
Selsey drop to second from bottom, a point clear of Reading at the foot. Next weekend the Seals welcome Woodley United to the Seal Bay Resort Stadium
Oxford City: Maskell, Kehayova, Le Beau, 2.Bough-French, 4.Tayman(c), 3.Donohoe, O'Leary, Grey, 14.L.White, 10.E.White, 12.Crouch. Subs: Hume, 11.Harris
Selsey: 1.Campbell, 3.Guymer, 5.G.Morris, 6.Halford(c), 7.Sanderson, 8.Delillis, 9.Jefkins, 11.Walford, 14.Wheatley, 15.West, 21.Kelly-Stoner. Subs: 2. Evans, 4.Davey, 9.Childs, 17.K.Morris
Ground Number: Re-visit
Att:
Entrance: £3.00
Programme: N/A
Oxford clear their lines after a scramble in the box
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