FT: Oxford City 3 -1 Barton United.

A late kick off drew the Barton supporters across the A40 to Court Place Farm for what is always an exciting local Derby fixture, and today was to be no exception.

First Half.

Straight after kicking off Oxford City tried to pressure Barton in the early stages of the first half, meeting the presence of the Barton defence, with Tihanna confidently overseeing the ball and Hope defending with conviction, supported by Courtney, Claudia & Antonia. The city attack attempts were repelled. Barton immediately responding with a period of 10 minutes of some great chances in front of the opposition goal, Barton running through the City Defence, again fitness being the key to Barton’s attack, pressuring City, who were struggling to handle the pace of the Barton wings Jennaya and Edie, the forwards Georgia and Sophie, with Ella and Kimora in the middle. City had a chance hitting the crossbar, trying distance shots 15 mins in. Some great play continued from Barton, as city tried to frustrate the play, the Barton backline getting the ball to Kimora who put a super ball over the City Defence, giving Sophie the opportunity to go one on one with the city keeper, allowing the ball to be knocked into the net to make it 0-1 to Barton 18 mins in to the first half.

If City had entered the match thinking that this was the same Barton team that they played in a league match a year ago on the 14th of Jan 2023 they were to be very much mistaken. Reality began to hit home that this was a much-changed Barton team up for the win.

Following the goal city tried to rally, but Barton’s play so far had taken city by surprise, who were finding it difficult to work to their first half game plan, frustrating play they won a free kick just outside the box, cleared by Barton.

Katie came on to bring some fresh legs and challenge, to continue the pressure on city.

Some amazing defending saw City struggle to score, with the ball being cleared in what appeared to be almost a certain goal for city by the power of the Barton defence right in front of the goal.

Still pushing, City got through, only to be met by some incredibly timed defending by Antonia in the box denying City the chance.

HT: Oxford City 0-1 Barton United

The second half started well with Barton straight on the attack, 2 mins in a collision between players meant an early sub, which was a slight change to the usual plan. City, obviously unused to trailing to Barton came out determined, finding a weak spot equalising 4 mins in (1-1) and then going in the lead 2 mins later (2-1). 15 mins in, Barton playing, now with 10 players and a little shaken, held City who were unable to take any advantage of the situation with the Barton players stepping up in place of their teammate. With some great chances with Georgia nearly finding the net. Unfortunately, City found a third goal with 12 minutes left to play (3-1). Throughout the second half, opportunity after opportunity was denied to City by the whole Barton team for which each and every single one of them should feel that they can hold their heads up high.

FT: Oxford City 3-1 Barton United

P.O.M – Tihanna: Great goalkeeping against tough opponents, such a key piece of our team set up, great saves and confidence. Well deserved!

Edie: Running rings round the opposition with the ball down the right, creating some good chances, really good turn overs and turning the opposition players.

Hope: Solid defending, great thought and vision, looking out for the team on the field, handled the opposition well. Winning the ball at really key moments.

Courtney: Wow! great play, really pushing forwards when the opportunity arose, some key tackles and turnover of the ball.

Claudia: Amazing work managed the opposition well, dependable and solid defending.

Antonia: Amazing play in what was one of your best games to date, confident and accurate tacking.

Ella: Always chasing that ball down, making it difficult for the opponent and having a go at goal too. Well done.

Jennaya: Super on the left today, some really great passes and positioning into space ready to receive the ball.

Katie: Right into the action, managing the opposition with composure, not afraid to chase the ball.

Georgia: So unlucky not to have hit the net today, so quick through, making chances where the opposition are unable to match your speed, amazing.

Kimora: Powerhouse of the team, some really great play such as putting the ball over the city defence, as only you can, helping to make that first half goal possible.

Sophie: Managing to score that first goal, coming back on after injury during the second half to help consolidate the play.

Our Barton supporters and Parents: Thank you for all of your support today and for being part of this amazing journey that this team is on this season.

“You know what the happiest animal on Earth is? It’s a goldfish. Y’know why, it’s got a 10 second memory, be a goldfish!” – Ted Lasso

“The taste of defeat can be bitter but serves as a motivation to come back stronger”.