Oxford City left it late, as they came from behind to beat Rushall Olympic in Vanarama National League North.

City went behind in controversial circumstances as Laiith Fairnie tapped home after a foul against Hoops ‘keeper McKenzie-Lyle was ignored.

The tie turned on its head after the break after Coyle levelled, before substitute Corie Andrews popped up in the 89thto head past Green from McKenzie-Lyle’s punt up field.  

In a game where both teams had to acclimatise to the misty conditions, it was the hosts who shaded in a first half of few chances.

It was City who had the first real sniff of goal though, after Olympic ‘keeper Paul White parried Josh Ashby’s stinging shot into the path of Alfie Potter. However, Potter couldn’t produce the finishing touch as the ball bounced past his feet.

Rushall’s main chance came through Kian Ryley after his header bounced onto the roof of the net after a corner, but the first goal came through a moment of controversy.

Kai McKenzie-Lyle came rushing off his line to clear a cross, but after leaping over his defender, he tumbled to the ground after being upended.

Referee Mr Corbett didn’t believe there was enough in the challenge to give a foul though, and Laiith Fairnie duly tapped home the easiest goal he’ll ever score after the ball bounced to him in the area.

Half-Time: Rushall Olympic 1-0 Oxford City

After the break, Rushall looked to nick a second goal, but City held firm. It took Coyle’s equaliser to bring the game to life though.

All the plaudits should go to Josh Parker, after his clever run beat the offside trap allowing him to latch onto the pass. The forward was unselfish when he worked the ball onto his right foot and instead of shooting, picked out the winger for a tap in.

That turned the game on its head, and the Hoops started to dominate. The game hanged on a knife-edge though and it took until the 89^th minute for City to grab a late winner.

Kai McKenzie-Lyle did well to claim a cross and his quick thinking saw him blast the ball out of his hands and all the way up the field. The ball bounced, Josh Green misjudged the bounce, and sub Corie Andrews nipped in to head the ball past White and secure a big three points.

We end 2024 with back-to-back wins in National League North, and ahead of our New Year’s Day clash with Brackley Town, that table looks a lot better!

Attendance:

Oxford City Starting XI: McKenzie-Lyle, Ezennolim, Ashby, Jones, Coyle, Fleet, McEachran (Andrews 84'), Parker, Potter (Scott 62'), Roddy (Carbon 90'), Drewe

Subs not used: Walsh, Croker