A fantastic team effort from Oxford City Women saw them recover from  a poor start to push unbeaten league leaders  Wycombe Wanderers all the way at the MGroup Stadium this afternoon

City were left with a mountain to climb after just 15 minutes with Jess Watkins and Kayla Potter putting the visitors 2-0 up and seemingly  in control but the home side showed tremendous character to claw their way back into the game with an Ellie White goal making it 2-1  and underlining the fact that they had given the Chairgirls one of their sternest tests of the season.

The opener cane from the spot as Watkins slotted comfortably past Hannah Gerrow after the keeper had sprawled into a late challenge after eight minutes that meant a clear penalty. Potter then doubled the lead after a defensive error left her with the simple task of tucking the ball beyond Gerrow to make it 2-0.

Two down against an unbeaten side with seven wins and a draw from their eight matches, City might have folded but instead got their heads up and battled their way back into the game. Lucy White saw an effort pushed round the post and captain Billie Bough-French missed her kick after a clever corner routine.

Ellie White drifted an early effort over the top as City continued to press after the break and the Hoops eventually got the goal they deserved when the striker was felled on the edge of the box to give them a penalty. Although her initial spot kick was saved she retained her composure and tucked the rebound home to make it 2-1 make her own tally 13 goals from 14 games this season.

She might even have levelled soon after when put through on goal, but her attempt to lob the keeper was too gentle and Wanderers rode their luck to stay ahead.

In truth the visitors created enough chances to have made the game safe but City were still in it throughout a very entertaining 90 minutes. With an average age of 22 this side continues to learn and grow stronger and it' s not often you lose at home and leave the field to a a standing ovation.

CITY

Gerrow, Ayers, Bough-French, Davis, O’Leary, Edwards, Lester, Craven, E White, L White, Walecki

SUBS
Gorman, Wellington-Faisall, Tayman, Durham, Maskell

Att:  101

Report by Chris Williams, pictures Darrell Fisher