Oxford City took the honours in this season’s Town v Gown evening with wins in both the Women’s and Men’s matches.

Pouring rain couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm of an appreciative crowd of City fans and Oxford students as two contrasting matches once again strengthened the bond between the club and the University.

In the opening game seven goals from seven scorers - Emily Harris, Ellie Walecki, Yasmin Edwards, Kate Parsons, Lucy White, Reese Ayers and Ellie White gave the Women a comfortable 7-1 win before a Men’s side that gave every senior player a game claimed a much closer win

In the Women’s game Harris fired home the opener for City after 16 minutes of a very even first half, with Walecki firing home a second after 37 minutes and Ellie White a constant threat up front. A third from Edwards right on the break ended the game as a competition but the students continued to battle in a game that was always competitive.

A scrambled effort just after the hour got the students back in the game at 3-1 but a long range Kate Parsons goal made it 4-1 after 72 minutes Lucy White made it 5-1 with ten minutes to go, Ayers headed home a sixth and then White continued her goal-a-game season with a penalty in the last minute.

In the second match many of the invited guests were just finishing their desserts after a superb dinner in the new hospitality suite when Westendorf scored an early opener after just two minutes.

In a much closer game the University team gave a first class performance but found City just a little too streetwise. In truth, with multiple changes and driving rain throughout it wasn't a great footballing spectacle but it was a good workout for both sides and both will have taken plenty of positives .

Result immaterial. friendships and bonds strengthened. Town AND Gown.

CITY WOMEN

Maskell, Davis, Edwards, O’Leary, Bough-French, Walecki, E White, Harris, Parsons, Lester, Gorman

ROLLING SUBS
Leach, Gerrow, L White, Ayres, Lyne

MEN

Lewis (Treml 26), Johnson (Wilson 46), Wiggett (Tengko 46), Francis (Webb 46), Ulas, Daniel (Scott 46), Humphrey-Ewers (Clark 46), Ashby (Parker-Hunt 46), Potter (Moir 46), Parker (Kauan 46), Westendorf (McConnell 24)

Report by Chris Williams