Oxford United Women were crowned County Cup Winners after a highly contested fixture at Yarnton Road.
Richardson’s first-half goal separated the teams at full-time, despite a wealth of chances across the 90.
With the development team taking on the fixture, this success now means that the squad have won the WNL Reserve League, the WNL Reserve League Cup, and the Oxfordshire County Cup in another successful season for the Yellows.
A hot evening made for tough conditions for both sides, but despite this, they both started positively, with Oxford City rising to the occasion of playing a higher-ranked side.
However, it was United that dominated possession throughout the game, and who most certainly created more chances.
City’s goalkeeper Holly Jenkins did well throughout the game to keep most of United’s chances out, and against the run of play, she was a huge part in the scoreline still being level after 30 minutes.
The closest United were able to get to a goal in the first 30 was a shot that rebounded off the post after the Yellows intercepted Amelia Alves Martins’ pass.
The one chance that mattered was that from Ellie-Mae Richardson, whose initial effort was blocked incredibly by City’s Amber Le Beau. Richardson reacted to the loose ball first, however, placing the ball past Jenkins in what would be the decisive goal in the fixture.
The second-half came about in a similar fashion to the first, with most of the action happening around the City box, with Jenkins maintaining her role in keeping the Yellows out.
Frustrating as this was for United, they continued to press, and their constant forward play limited City’s chances to equalise.
Walton’s side looked dangerous on a few occasions however, showing character despite trailing against an in-form side.
A second-half chance looked promising from Ellie White, but an excellent challenge from Cheyenne Flynn denied City’s Player’s Player of the Season a chance at equalising.
After 7 added minutes, the full-time whistle indicated that, despite City’s best efforts, the Yellows were to lift the trophy.
A lot can be said about the success of Oxford United Women this season, but there was still a sense of pride amongst the Hoops at full-time, and both teams should be proud of their performance on the night.
Walton’s side can certainly take a lot from the fixture, having put in a performance against a side that have scored 44 goals in 3 games across the competition, with only 1 getting past Jenkins on the night.
Nevertheless, a dominant display by United's development squad means they take home their third piece of silverware this season.
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