Summer Major scored the winning penalty to set up final with Oxford United.
Walton’s side came from behind to take Oxford University AFC Women’s First Team all the way to penalties, drawing 1-1 at full time.
Walton stated that he “could not have asked for a better performance” in a high-stakes fixture where they “deserved to win in the ninety minutes”.
Despite this, the score could not be settled before the full-time whistle, with penalties going to sudden death in order to break the tie.
A regional power cut when the game was originally scheduled on the 18th of February saw City’s first attempt at reaching the final left in darkness after 61 minutes, Walton’s side found themselves a goal down, so the opportunity to replay the game weeks after offered the side a chance to regroup and showcase their full abilities.
Despite this, City found themselves in familiar territory just 8 minutes into the game when they fell 1-0 down. Just 10 minutes later, however, Emily Harris netted a fantastic solo goal to bring her side level. A beautiful strike found the top corner from 18 yards out, a defining moment in the fixture.
Although this highly contested fixture had a wealth of chances, these two early goals were the only netted in the game, and with no extra time, the full-time whistle indicated that penalties were afoot.
With Oxford University going first, all 10 penalty takers netted, adding to the tension as the shootout entered sudden death.
On their 6th penalty, however, Oxford University failed to convert, leaving the pressure of a cup final on the shoulders of 18-year-old Summer Major. The magnitude of the situation didn’t bother the teen, however, as her spot kick ended the shootout and booked City a place in the final.
“I couldn’t be prouder of these girls today” stated coach Connor Walton after the game, “They deserve every single minute of this moment”.
“They all deserve massive credit, whether they were in the starting eleven, or they came off the bench, they did everything they needed to do on the pitch”.
The other semi-final, which was played out before the power cut on the 18th of February, saw a dominant 15-0 win for Oxford United against Thame United. Oxford United opened the scoring just 2 minutes into the game through a Wellesley-Smith goal, with Oxford being 6 up before the half-time whistle.
The second half was another show of the one-way traffic displayed in the first 45, with Oxford netting right up until the final whistle.
The final is due to be played at Kidlington FC on the 28th of April, with both sides looking to secure the title of County Cup Champions.
Oxford City’s Connor Walton stated, however, that “right now, we’re back in the league next Sunday and we’ll focus on that before the final”.
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