Oxfordshire 4-4 Gloucestershire

This match was played on the Oxford City FC Stadium on Sunday 15/04/18.

It turned out to be a spectacle of all that is good in Representative Football. With possibly the best two County Teams in the Country vying for a place in the South & West Counties Youth Football Championship Final. By virtue of Oxfordshire not losing any matches in the Competition and progressing to the Final on Saturday 28th April where they will play Cornwall Away. 

The match started with both teams playing excellent football on this excellent surface.

The Gloucestershire Goalkeeeper having to be very alert on 10 minutes from a free kick. However it was Gloucestershire who took the lead on 17 minutes after a penalty was awarded for a foul inside the box. 0-1. Only four minutes later Oxfordshire had drawn level when a penalty was awarded after Noah Alabi was upended and the kick was despatched comfortably by Jamar Smith.1-1.

With end to end football something had to give and it was Oxfordshire who took the lead for the first time on 35 minutes when a free kick taken by Ben Barrett was palmed into the net by the Gloucestershire Goalkeeper. However before half time Gloucestershire had equalized with a header from six yards out. 2-2 at Half Time.

The second half started as the first ended with excellent forages by both teams. On 50 minutes Jamar Smith restored Oxfordshire lead after robbing the defender and striking home with a fierce shot. 3-2. The play continued with both looking to score. On 72 minutes Gloucestershire equalized with a shot from 10 yards with the Oxfordshire Goalkeeper unsighted. 3-3.

On 74 minutes Gloucestershire had re taken the lead with a shot that deflected past the stranded Oxfordshire Goalkeeper. 3-4. However Oxfordshire continued to press and were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box. On 76 minutes Henry Landers despatched the free kick into the top corner of the goal. 4-4.

With both teams looking to further there goal tally, the match drew to and end with the scores tied. This leaving Oxfordshire top of the Group.

The standard of play was of the highest and deserved to be on a higher stage.