Oxford City Women’s season ended with an excellent 2-1 win over Portchester Women at the MGroup this afternoon as strike partners Ellie White and Yasmin Edwards both netted to take their combined tally to over 40 goals for the season.

In yet another fine advert for the women’s game City were deserved winners of a thoroughly entertaining 90 minutes.

The first goal owed a lot to the persistence of the teenage Edwards who came out best in a 50/50 challenge after 14 minutes and then raced forward down the right before picking out the predatory White inside the box. There was only one possible outcome: touch, turn, smash, goal. 1-0

The front three of White, Edwards and Emily Harris are a potent combination of pace, power and energy and Edwards forced a fine save from the visiting keeper after 28 minutes as City sought a second goal. With Portchester also playing attacking football it was a good game to watch; from one attack the visitors rounded the sprawling Kiera Maskell but could only find the outside of the post with the vacant net gaping.

An injury to the influential Billie Bough-French meant defensive changes after the break but City adjusted well and might have doubled their lead on the hour after Harris sprinted clear but found the keeper quickly out to meet her. White then put a similar chance just over the bar and another Harris drive from distance forced a full length save from the Portchester keeper as The Hoops enjoyed a long spell of concerted pressure.

Another powerful effort from White after 68 minutes drew yet another save and after 74 minutes roles were reversed as White tore away down the right and picked out Edwards to slam home from six yards out and make it 2-0.

At the other end Maskell’s bravery, evident all season, kept Portchester at bay until the second minute of added time when a clipped effort finally beat the young keeper to ensure a tense finale but City saw it through to do the double over a very good Portchester side who had played a big part in entertaining the growing number of City Women fans once more.

The end of another progressive season that has seen record crowds, another county cup win, and the introduction of a number of very talented young players into a senior squad that grows in experience and potential with each passing year.

A summer to keep building, then we go again. Can't wait.

CITY

Maskell, Gorman, Bough-French, Prescott-Luke, Ayers, Lester, Craven, Walecki, Harris, E White, Edwards

ROLLING SUBS

L White, Parsons, Tayman, O’Leary, Durham

Att: 115

Report by Chris Williams, pictures Darrell Fisher