Oxford City fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat away at high-flying Scarborough in Enterprise National League North with another contentious decision overshadowing proceedings. 

Will Thornton’s header from a corner turned out to be the decisive goal in the first-half, before City thought they’d levelled through Charlie Wiggett. 

Under pressure from George Burroughs, Goalkeeper Ryan Whitely split the ball into the path of Charlie Wiggett who bundled the ball into the net, only for the referee to disallow the goal. 

A strong second-half performance ended in vain, with a number of chances not falling for the Hoops. 

Scarborough came into the game with the best home record in the division, and they showed why in the first ten minutes. 

City had their backs against the wall for long periods before but managed to re-buff the attacks for long spells. 

City had to be on high alert as a flurry of Scarborough corners caused chaos. Sam Lewis did well to keep the host’s at bay… just. 

However, the pressure eventually paid when Will Thornton gave the host’s the lead from one of those set-pieces. After all City’s defending, the goal was rather simple after Scarborough’s captain rose highest at the back post to head home. 

A further insult to injury (quite literally) the team had to deal with a nasty looking injury to Alfie Potter, who had to be replaced after a shoulder injury. 

The Hoops weren’t without their chances, though. Josh Parker rather hurriedly scuffed a shot into Goalkeeper Ryan Whitley after a misplaced pass fell to his feet.

Jacob Roddy also flashed a cross across goal which Zac McEachran was inches away from connecting with to level. 

Half-time: Scarborough 1-0 Oxford City 

After the break, Ross Jenkins’ side came out a different team and took the game to the hosts. 

Ewan Clark was simply unplayable on the day, driving forward with every opportunity and causing all sorts of problems. 

The lively midfielder created the best opportunity of the half too, when he drove forward and played an inch-perfect pass to the feet of Tom Scott. 

However, despite being unmarked in the box, the midfielder couldn’t place his shot past Whitely. 

From a City perspective, this game will be remembered for the incident that happened in the 73rd minute. 

Josh Ashby’s corner was spilled by Whitely and onto the head of Burroughs, to leave Charlie Wiggett with a simple tap in to equalise at the back post. 

However, City’s celebrations were cut short to the bemusement of the 722 fans in Bridlington. The referee had judged that Burroughs had handled the ball in the box deliberately, and chalked the goal off to the delight of some very relieved Scarborough fans. 

A hammer blow, and on reflection a barmy decision, but The Hoops had to deal with it, and they kept coming forward. 

Player of the match Ewan Clark kept coming forward, but to no avail as City couldn’t find their way past a stubborn Scarborough defence. 

Latrell Humphrey-Ewers and Kauan Bitencourt De Oliveira were introduced and certainly made impacts, but again to no avail. 

Scarborough could’ve added a second goal to their tally after the ball was laid on a plate to Rio Allan, but somehow the midfielder blasted a chance that was harder to miss over the crossbar. 

In the end, it was a harsh result for the Hoops, who deserved much more from the performance. Nevertheless, the team have no choice but to pick themselves up and go again in two weeks time at home to Curzon Ashton. 

Attendance: 722

Lewis, Roddy, Ashby, Johnson, McEachran (Bitencourt De Oliveira), Wiggett, Parker, Scott (Humphrey-Ewers), Potter (Campton-Sturridge), Clark, Burroughs

Subs not used: Treml, Daniel, McConnell