Oxford City Women found league leaders Ascot United Women just too strong this afternoon as the visitors won 3-1 at the MGroup Stadium.

The Hoops pushed them all the way but Ascot remain unbeaten with this result just about putting them in an unattainable position at the top of the table.

City had a tough enough test without conceding in just the fourth minutes when the ball wasn’t cleared and a deep cross from Balaam was headed home at the back post by Glover to give the leaders a 1-0 lead.

City recovered from that early setback well with BIllie Bough-French organising the defence and keeper Keira Maskell left to make just a couple of routine saves as her defence worked hard to keep Ascot at arm’s length.

Further forward, Lucy White ran her heart out as the lone striker with wing backs Emily Harris and Emma Donohoe keen to add width and after 25 minutes there was hope as they drew deservedly level when the outstanding Harris found space and let fly from 25 yards with a a superb effort that flew over the keeper to make it 1-1.

However, Ascot came back strongly and on 36 minutes were ahead once more when a fine passing move saw the ball switched right to left and Lloyd sprinting into space to beat the exposed Maskell and make it 2-1.

Glover then made it 3-1 with her second of the game from  close range  after the break and although City did their best to get back into it with a Georgina Tayman effort drifting just wide and an Izzy Bradley blast well saved they found the Ascot back line just too experienced to allow them a second lifeline.

No shame in defeat and the effort, intensity and workrate  is never in doubt from a team that  can take plenty of positives from their performance despite the result.

CITY

Maskell, Latimer, Bough-French. Le Beau, Harris, O’Leary, Bradley, E White, Bradley, Walecki, L White

Rolling Subs:

Kazir, Pinner, Crouch, Tayman, Hume

ATT: 64

Report by Chris Williams, pictures Darrell Fisher