Oxford City and Farsley Celtic will play in different divisions next season after a 3-1 win guaranteed City’s survival and the home side’s relegation from the National League North.

Goals from top scorer Zac McEachran, highly-rated defender Phil Croker and the superb Josh Ashby sealed City’s revival and stretched their unbeaten run to six matches despite a stunning Joao Silva consolation for a game Celtic side who have played all of their home games at Buxton in a troubled season.

Unchanged after a big win over rivals Radcliffe on Saturday, City had to overcome some initial energy from a young Farsley team who, hampered by an embargo, had six of their Academy players in the side. Laurie Walker made a routine save but City needed to dampen that initial enthusiasm and McEachran’s early goal settled everything down nicely.

City had loud claims for a goal waved away after ten minutes when Farsley keeper William Brook fell on the ball on the line and a rugby ruck somehow failed to force the ball into the net, but three corners in a row tested the resolve of the home defence and after 12 minutes paid off when McEachran was granted the freedom of the penalty area to bury a bouncing ball and make it 1-0 with his tenth league goal of the season.

Tom Scott had two long range efforts and the highly impressive Croker went close as City gradually tightened the screw and Farsley, fresh from 12 defeats in a row, dropped ever deeper. Walker in yellow was well protected by his teammates in red delivering the goods: Red Lorry, Yellow Laurie*

When Croker flicked home a perfect Josh Ashby corner in the second minute of the second half it looked like game over, but credit to Farsley who refused to lie down and just 60 seconds later were back in the game as Silva fired home a magnificent effort that gave the diving Walker little chance and made it 2-1.

The Hoops regained their composure and it became a fascinating game to watch: City with 75% possession but the young legs of Farsley ever-willing to counter.  A third goal was definitely needed. Jayden Carbon, Lewis Coyle and Tom Scott all went close before Carbon wriggled free and reached the line before pulling the ball back for Captain Ashby to thunder home a third goal that ended the contest with 18 minutes still to play.

Curzon Ashton's win at Needham sealed the deal elsewhere but don't be fooled: The City players and staff have turned this around after a crushing 7-0 defeat at home to Buxton left them in real trouble. I wrote at the time that the real Oxford City needed to stand up and be counted. They did. 

CITY

Walker, Drewe, Croker, Carroll, Ezennolim (Willcox 81) Coyle, Ashby, Scott, McEachran (Fleet 85), Carbon (Potter 75), Parker

Subs

Jones, Roddy

Att: TBC

Report by Chris Williams, pictures Alex Whyte

*sorry. Bit giddy.