Oxford City Women's successful season ended in defeat this evening as they were beaten 3-1 by Abingdon United Development in the Chairman's Cup final.

Two early goals from Charlotte Bigmore and a screamer from Mimi Hodges saw Abingdon lift the trophy at Beaconsfield Town while City's young side had just a late Yasmin Edwards consolation goal to show for their efforts

City, without the unavailable Billy Bough-French and Bailey Latimer in defence were caught twice in the first 14 minutes by carbon copy goals when the speedy Bigmore ran clear and thumped the ball into the top right corner both times giving keeper Keira Maskell no chance.

That meant that Connor Walton’s; team had to fight for a way back into the game in his final match in charge. They did so patiently and slowly began to get a grip on the midfield with Georgina Tayman, Ellie White and Kitty Crouch all trying their luck from distance and Emma Donohoe coming the closest with a trademark dipping in-swinging corner which the keeper tipped over to keep her side two goals to the good at the break.

There was far more urgency after the break- there needed to be- but chances remained hard to come by against a well organised Abingdon backline who pressed with enormous energy and had the pace of Bigmore as a constant outlet if needed. With ten minutes to go Hodges let fly from 25 yards and that was 3-0 and game over, although youngster Edwards raced onto a Sophie Lester ball to grab a late goal that underlined both players' potential

Credit to Abingdon who end the season on a high. But City's season has been one of progress and expansion and the summer will see them draw breath and go again...

CITY

 Keira Maskell, Millie Hume, Amelia Davis, Amber Le-Beau, Emma Donohoe, Isobel Bradley. Georgina Tayman, Anna O’Leary, Emily Harris, Lucy White, Ellie White

Rolling Subs

Xiomara Wellington-Faissal, Sophie Lester, Poppy Gorman, Kaitlyn Crouch,  Yasmin Edwards

Report by Chris Williams, pictures Darrell Fisher