Oxford City Women suffered a 2-1 defeat in the Southern Region Women's Football League against Reading FC Community Trust this evening.

A late Grace Craven goal kickstarted what looked to be a late fightback from The Hoops but it wasn't enough in the end as The Royals saw out the game.

Reading frustrated City in the early passages of the game. The Royals pressed well and had The Hoops penned into the own half for much of the opening twenty minutes but once City found their feet, they began opening up Reading.

Goalkeeper Hannah Gerrow made a fantastic save just before the half hour mark as the shot came in from inside the area but Gerrow did exceptionally well too get down to her right and tip it round the post.

The closest City came to an opener in the first half was a effort from Ellie Walecki which just flew over. Billie Bough-French and Hermione Prescott-Luke were rock solid at the back and few chances were created in the first forty-five.

The Hoops came out of the traps quickly in the second half. After 50 minutes, Bough-French sprayed ball out wide to Ayers. City worked it across the field and Harris' shot ended on the roof of the net.

The home side took the lead after 76 minutes. It came against the run of play. The Royals sent a throw in into the area. It was brought down and squeezed in at Gerrow's near post.

Six minutes later, they doubled their lead. A long ball over the top of the City backline was worked back around the edge of the area and Gerrow could only parry the ball into the side netting.

Craven pulled one back for City with four minutes of regulation time remaining. Prescott-Luke took the free kick from the halfway line, saw the keeper off her line and went for it. It ricocheted off the crossbar and Captain Craven was the quickest to react, tapping in.

City pushed for an equaliser but it never came. Reading saw the game out and took all three points.

Oxford City Manager Aliyah Anthony was proud of the performance this evening as she said: "Today we showed desire and when you have staff backing you, that's what can happen.

"I'm taking this as a positive and so should the girls. Regardless of the score, it's about fighting back, and I'm so proud of the girls today for doing that."

CITY

Gerrow (GK), O'Leary, Gorman, Bough-French, Prescott-Luke, Craven (C), Lester, Walecki, Harris, Ayers, E White

 SUBS
L White, Davis, Wellington-Faisal, White, Ranxha