Headington Girls Blues

Match Report Blues v Meerkats
Saturday 14th October

"Olive only scores worldies"

Blues and Meerkats shared the spoils in an entertaining, pulsating encounter in the autumnal sunshine at Grovelands on Saturday morning.

It could have been a gloomy morning all round however; first the Blues new kits didn’t fit and then the Meerkats roared into a two goal lead, albeit largely against the run of play. It’s not that the Blues didn’t have a good opening period – there was a couple of nice one-twos between Phoebe and Abby and some hard defensive graft from Hazel and Olive at the back – but the Blues weren’t getting the run of the green.

The first Meerkats goal was a bit of a scramble during a rare foray into the Blues box which Lilly was unsighted on, and then their second came from another breakaway and a bit of a hit and hope that sailed into the top of the net over Lilly who stood very little chance of saving it.

In-between all this, Abby had put Asha through with a deft pass, and Asha was able to show the defenders a clean pair of heels and laced one hard and high at the Meerkats goal but somehow the leaping Meerkats goalkeeper got the faintest of touches onto it to push it onto the crossbar and out for a corner.

A few minutes later Asha repaid the favour and played Abby clean through, but the Meerkats keeper saw the danger and sprinted off her line to s***f out the danger. Blues went into the break somehow two-nil down.

The Blues started the second half brightly with some clever corner routines between Beanie and Ellie. The crowd could sense a breakthrough coming and they didn’t have to wait too long.

Asha and Abby linked up well again, with the former playing a lovely ball to Abby who skipped through a tackle and whacked one that was too hot for the meerkats keeper to handle. The Blues Ultra’s were happy to see it nestle in the back of the net.

Mariyah was having a great game on the left, waltzing through tackles and playing delicious crosses into the box. But it was Asia’s monster throw, the Blues new secret weapon, that sparked the comeback.

Asia launched one to the edge of the box where Rose picked it up, hooked it over the back line to find Abby sprinting through on goal who then unleashed a beauty into the bottom left corner with the keeper rooted to the spot.

The game then opened up, with both teams pressing for the winner. Meerkats probably should have stolen it when their midfielder blazed wide with an open goal at her mercy, and then a few minutes later when a dangerous cross came in and an unmarked Meerkats striker lifted the ball over the bar from the edge of the six-yard box.

But Blues also had good opportunities, Asha unleashing a good left foot shot that the keeper had to stop with her feet, low down to her right

Then against the run of play Meerkats took the lead to make it Blues 2 – 3 Meerkats but this only seemed to sting the Blues into life, peppering the Meerkats goal with wave after wave of attacks.

Just as the clock was ticking down, and it looked like Blues were going to suffer an unjust loss, the ball broke loose from a Blues attack and Olive came striding out of defence to send an absolute howitzer of a right foot shot from a full 25yards out which stung the bottom corner of the net as it fizzed in, prompting wild scenes of celebrations on the pitch and in the crowd, whilst confirming what we already knew - that Olive only scores worldies.

The ref then blew his whistle and bought to an end a cracking game of football.

Match Report
Summertown Meerkats vs Headington Blues - County Cup - 30 September 2023

Headington Blues registered a notable victory by claiming the scalp of last seasons Premier League winners Summertown Meerkats in the County Cup today, in a scintillating, pulsating game.

The Blues came out of the traps all guns blazing from the off, having the better of the opening exchanges. Pleasingly, both teams seemed determined to play a controlled passing game, and the large pitch suited both styles, giving players plenty of time on the ball to consider options.

The first 20minutes was mostly Blues dominating possession in midfield through Emily, Beanie and Phoebe, and looking threatening on the attack via the pacey duo of Asha and Abby. Olive and Hazel marshalled a solid defence protecting Ellie, the stand in keeper, well.

A succession of corners kept the pressure on the Meerkats and the Meerkats keeper did well to smother a dropped shot, with Asha bearing down on her. The deserved breakthrough came a few moments later, with the effervescent Phoebe picking the ball up in midfield, and selling a delightful swerve that sent two Meerkats players the wrong way and gave her space to run into.

Driving forward, she saw the run of Abby and played the most delightful ball along the floor, splitting the centre backs and curling the pass right into Abby’s feet. Abby outpaced the defensive line and slotted a lovely, assured finish, low and hard to the keepers right.

Meerkats 0 – 1 Blues (Abby, assist Phoebe)

Up until this point Ellie had had very little to do, but the Meerkats were continuously probing down the right. Faith had an outstanding game at left back and cut out everything that was being thrown at her. One the one occasion a cross did come in, it deflected over Ellie’s head but bounced harmlessly against the post and back into her grateful arms. Otherwise Ellie had a superb game in goal, diving down low to her left a couple of times in the first half to calmly collect some strong shots.

Shortly after this, the Blues got their second, again coming from superb work in midfield, but this time from Asha who beat two tackles, carried the ball and then played Abby through with a delightful pass. Abby gratefully collected the ball, outpaced the defence again, and slotted it home for her second of the match.

Meerkats 0 – 2 Blues (Abby assist Asha)

The Blues were threatening to run away with the game at this point with the industry and guile of the Blues midfield clicking nicely and the pacey forward line looking threatening every time, but the referee blew for half time and gave the Meerkats an opportunity to regroup.

HT Meerkats 0 – 2 Blues (Abby x2)

Coming out for the restart Meerkats looked like a different team, playing with the intensity, assertiveness and accuracy that saw them walk out 8 – 2 victors on the way to the Premier League title the last time these two teams played each other.

However Blues have toughened up since that fixture and Olive and Hazel led the back line well, with Faith and Rose giving no quarter. In fact Rose was everywhere and made some extraordinary last gasp challenges to protect her back line, as did Faith.

Phoebe was also having an outstanding game in midfield, with Beanie, Emily, Asia and Mariyah all competing well and showing maturity and assuredness on the ball. The front line of Livvy, Asha and Abby had real pace and menace and provided the Meerkats back line something to think about all afternoon.

At one point Blues looked like they were about to score a third. Asha beat two players, took the ball to the line and put in a lovely left foot cross that Abby left for the onrushing Sian. Unfortunately Sian couldn’t quite wrap her foot around it and the ball spun out, just past the right hand post. It would have been a corking goal had it gone in, and would have put the game to bed.

Meerkats were putting pressure on the Blues though and got the goal that their play deserved right at the death. There was a moments hesitation in defence and a Meerkats player unleashed a ferocious shot that Ellie couldn’t keep out.

It wasn’t enough to put a dampener on the Blues morning though, finishing the match 2 – 1 winners in a game they thoroughly deserved to win

Next match
Saturday 7th October - Summertown Jaguars are the next visitors to Grovelands to take on the Blues in the league with a 10:00am KO.

Match Report

Barton Raiders U13 Girls vs Headington Blues U13 Girls

Saturday 09 September 2023

This was always going to be a tough fixture to come straight back to, after a long summer of relaxing, ice-cream and sofa-bound gaming, but the searing heat added an extra dimension to this local derby, with the mercury touching 26C at kick off.

Barton took to the pitch looking to start the season well and take back bragging rights from the Summertown teams who pipped them last season while Blues were looking to consolidate after an excellent debut season in the top league, and with some new (and returning) players fitting back into the system. With this in mind, the Blues coaches handed debuts to Emily and Ellie, and a welcome return to our smiling assassin, Sian.

The game was pretty evenly balanced for the first 10mins or so, both teams probing and looking for weaknesses, but it was Barton who struck first through a good finish from the pacy Ruby.

However it didn’t take long for Blues to come back into it, Abby playing a sublime one-two with Asha about thirty yards out and Abby then showing a clean pair of heels to the otherwise impressive Barton defence and clipping a deft finish into the right of the net, from the left of the box.

At this point, both teams were evenly matched, however the Barton midfield were starting to show a little bit more composure on the ball and threading some threatening passes through to their ridiculously quick forward line and it wasn’t long before Barton scored again, this time Isla providing an assured finish. Within a few minutes Barton went three one up, this time courtesy of a good goal from Summer.

Blues were still in the game though but just unable to find the composure on the ball in the middle and last third to calm things down, and play a passing game. The impressive Isla added to her tally just before half-time, to send Barton in four one up.

While Barton were perhaps looking the more comfortable and assured in possession, the score-line was slightly harsh on the Blues who had chances, and had defended bravely.

HT Barton 4 – 1 Blues

The sun continued to beat down as the second half got underway. Both teams were combative and competitive in all parts of the pitch. Ellie and Emily played as if they had been playing for the Blues all their lives, the former putting in some great tackles and showing a keen eye for short and simple distribution, and the latter providing some classy control and forward momentum in the midfield.

Lilly was also having a blinder in the nets, coming out bravely on a number of occasions to smother Barton attacks and commanding her defensive line confidently.

Isla eventually got her hat-trick, (and deservedly so) to put Barton 5 – 1 up, again a good goal, but once again perhaps slightly harsh on the Blues. If Blues felt hard done by at this point, the next passage of play really confirmed that the stars were just not aligned.

Asha wriggled past the Barton defence and was through on goal and about to pull the trigger but looked like she got taken out by the defender. The referee blew for a penalty, but changed the decision to a corner after consulting the Barton linesman. Blues were unable to capitalise on the corner, Barton broke and scored another, leaving the Blues UItras feeling short-changed and to put Barton ahead by 6 – 1.

Isla then capped a superb individual performance by scoring Barton’s seventh and her fourth of the morning, but credit to them, the Blues never let their heads go down and fought right to the end, despite the heat and they eventually got their reward for this tenacity.

Abby fed the ball out to Asha who was able to cut inside off the right wing and beat the impressive Barton defensive line for once, before driving into the box and sending a laced shot into the top left, leaving the Barton goal-keeper no chance.

FT Barton 7 – 2 Blues (Asha, Abby)

As first games of the season go, this was a disappointing score-line but an excellent performance against one of – if not the - strongest team in the county. The girls should be proud of themselves.

With a bit of composure on the ball to play the simple passes, some work on set-pieces and corners, and improved fitness as the season progresses, there is no reason why Blues cannot make this their most successful season yet.

First game of the season for Headington Blues U14 girls team and this local derby promises to be a cracker.

It’s at Barton - come and watch!

The U14 girls have their first (friendly) match of the season tomorrow (Saturday 2nd Sept) away at Tower Hill.

This promises to be a cracking match between two super competitive teams.

Blues will be looking to get off to a winning start against one of their closest rivals in the 23/24 OYFL Premier League.

Match Report
18 March 2023

Barton Raiders vs Headington Blues – League Cup Quarter Finals

The Blues have come a long way on their journey and one of the facets of playing at increasingly higher levels is that the big games, against top class opposition, quickly start to become the norm.

Giant premier league clashes against some of the best teams in Oxfordshire, cup semi-finals, cup quarter finals, the action just keeps coming thick and fast.

Today, against Barton in the quarter finals of the League Cup, was no different.

Barton are an outstanding team of very talented individuals, and of course had home advantage on the astro-turf, a surface which has so often proven to be the Blues downfall this season.

But with a nearly full-strength team, Blues lined up confident that there were goals to be had in this game and then taking it from there.

The first half was typified by a sluggish start by the Blues and some clinical finishing by Barton, who although not totally dominating the game, were certainly brighter and sharper to balls into the Blues box. Barton were winning the midfield battle through the deployment of an effective press, particularly on goal kicks.

As a result Blues found themselves on the back-foot for some of the half, not helped by a couple of early Barton goals, but also had chances of their own.

Both of Barton’s first two goals came from goal mouth scrambles, and perhaps moments of indecision cost the Blues in this respect.

This is being harsh, but when playing against top class opposition it often does come down to milliseconds and instinctive decision making to clear the ball from danger.

If the first two Barton goals were good finishes from goal mouth scrambles, the third was worthy of note, stemming from a really good cross from the left which saw Ruby rise well in the penalty area to nod an excellent header down and into Lilly’s right hand corner, leaving her no chance. A class goal to be fair.

Even at 3 – 0 down, the Blues were still in it though and you always felt they could nick something and that a goal might change the complexion of the game.

It nearly came on the 16 minute mark when Mariyah fed Asha who beat her defender for pace and dispatched a fierce left foot shot from just inside the box that skimmed just wide of the post, with the keeper beaten.

Barton still looked dangerous going forward and got their fourth on 20 minutes when Melissa scooped a shot over Lilly.

But still the Blues pushed forward and played some neat football in the closing stages of the half.

The best opportunity came when Asha fed Mariyah with a beauty, who then put a cracking through ball to Abby who couldn’t quite find the finish, despite her devastating pace taking her clear of the defender.

Blues got hit by a sucker punch for the fifth Barton goal, which came from the penalty spot. It wasn’t clear in the build up as to why the penalty had been given, but the referee clarified at half time that while it might have been harsh, a Blues defender had ended up kicking a Barton player in the penalty area whilst trying to clear the ball.

While the incident itself was perhaps questionable, the penalty itself was pure class, played with power into the postage stamp corner of Lilly’s goal. Pretty much unstoppable.

Asha had another good effort saved, following good inter-play between Abby and Paris and that turned out to be the last action of a half where Blues weren’t necessarily outplayed but just couldn’t settle on the ball, find the killer pass or the moment of inspiration in front of the Barton goal.

HT Barton 5 – 0 Blues

Despite being on the end of a difficult first half score-line, the Blues came out for the second half on the front foot which has been the pattern in recent weeks.

Their domination of the early exchanges resulted in a well worked goal from Abby on about 38minutes. Beanie put in a great in-swinging corner with her left foot which Olive flicked on, and Abby reacted quickest in the penalty area and swept it into the corner of the Barton net.

Barton 5 – 1 Blues (Abby)

The goal restored some confidence amongst the Blue ranks and the girls started relaxing and playing some good football and in fact could have had a second a few minutes later from some great pressing and team work.

Abby closed down and robbed a Barton defender on the right wing, played a neat ball to Asha who looked up and put a pin-point cross to the feet of Paris who was brilliantly positioned and unmarked in the box. Paris made a superb connection, but the ball flew just wide.

Had that gone in, it would have made for an interesting last quarter and the Barton coach perhaps saw the same and made some changes at this point.

Blues sensed that they could get something more from the game and continued to press with Beanie, Rose and Abby starting to win their midfield battles and creating space to play into as Barton dropped off.

That said Barton were still looking dangerous, and a moment of warning was sounded as the lightning fast Ruby latched onto a through ball, and looking for her hat-trick, slammed the ball goal bound. Lilly came out really bravely and got a hand to it to knock it round the post for a corner.

If this was a great save the next one was a worldie. A Barton midfielder was first to a loose ball on the edge of the box and unleashed a savage drive that arrowed into the top of the goal and looked like it was going to break the net.

Lilly had other ideas however and managed to leap up and get one hand onto it and palm it onto the crossbar and harmlessly out for a corner.

It was a truly jaw-dropping moment from both teams, that bought all round appreciation from the crowd.

Blues carried on playing superbly well, the second half performance quite markedly different to the first.

Perhaps the coaches half-time words had driven the girls on, perhaps the rain had added some zip to the surface and perhaps Abby’s goal had restored some belief, but either way the Blues were first to the ball, pressing high and biting into tackles now.

Beanie, Rose, Phoebe, Paris and Asia all had outstanding second halves in this respect, playing with tenacity and intensity in the middle of the pitch, supported by strong and decisive defending from Olive, Hazel and Faith.

Just when it looked like Blues were going to emerge victorious (in the second half at least) the classy Ruby got her deserved hat-trick when a ball came across the face of the goal and she drove a shot fiercely low and to Lilly’s right hand corner with the last touch of the game.

FT Barton 6 – 1 Blues

While seasons are not defined against outstanding teams like Barton there will be a lot of positives to take forward from today’s performance by the Blues.

Key to future games will be to carry from the outset the level of intensity, determination and sharpness shown in the second half today, and apply that across the whole game.

Well done to all the girls, the score-line may look harsh, but doesn’t tell the story of a game that Blues never really looked totally out of, and in fact arguably had the stronger second half.

Next up at Grovelands (pitch permitting) are Tower Hill in a must-win crunch match on 25th March

Come down to Barton Pavilion tomorrow (Saturday) for a 9:30KO and watch the mighty Headington Blues take on the Raiders of Barton in the League Cup Quarter Finals. The big matches just keep on coming!

Come watch this Premier League clash between the Meerkats of Summertown and The Blues. The Meerkats will be looking to make it a treble against The Blues, while The Blues will be out for revenge on the astroturf.

No match report as I wasn't able to attend due to illness, but from Tony's live text updates, the Battle of the Blews / Blues sounded like a cracker of a match, with the Blues triumphing away from home, against one of the best teams in the county in this age group! Well played Blues!

Come watch the Headington Girls Blues U13 take on the Summertown Starts Meerkats in the County Cup Semi-Finals at Grovelands in Risnghurst today. Kick off is at 10:30

Headington Blues v Wantage
Saturday 18 February
League Cup

The Blues were up against Wantage in this cup clash at a grey, breezy Grovelands, on the back of a couple of demoralising defeats so were looking to bounce back to winning ways. Wantage are a good team however and have won our only ever previous meeting 6 – 0. While this was a few years back now, they were not to be treated lightly, particularly given that the Blues were missing key players in Sian and Mariyah.

The match kicked off a couple of minutes late as the official referee had gone AWOL and immediately Wantage put Blues under pressure by forcing a corner. Truth be told, other than a few speculative efforts in the second half, that was probably the last time that the Blues goal came under real threat for the rest of the game. That the Wantage keeper deserved girl of the game for this game, for the rest of this season and for the rest of her seasons – plus the keys to the city - based on her performance in this game alone, tells you everything you need to know about the match.

On four minutes Olive went on one of her mazy runs and fed Asha who was onto it in a flash. But the keeper was there bravely to smother. Shortly after Asha went on a great run from the halfway line stripping the defence but having her shot well saved. Then it was Paris’ turn to get in on the action going on her own mazy run and shooting narrowly over. Then seconds later Paris picked the ball up in midfield again and put a good low shot in which the keeper did really well to get down low to and tip around the post. This was pretty much the pattern for the rest of the game. Blues shoot, keeper saves brilliantly. Again. And again. And again…

However, from the resulting corner Blues got their first, fully deserved goal on the 9 minute mark. Paris floating a really great cross in and Asha bundling it over in a melee of players. Paris to Asha, you know the rest. Not much the keeper could have done about that.

Blues 1 – 0 Wantage (Asha)

Blues piled forward from the kick-off and Beanie worked it well in her left wing position to put a superb cross into Asha who took one touch to turn the defender and lace a beauty of a left foot shot goal-bound. It arrowed to the top left corner, but the keeper somehow got a hand to it and palmed it away for a corner to Blues.

The resulting corner was cleared well but the Paris / Asha combo worked well again, this time Asha feeding Paris who stripped a defender and had her shot well saved. Unfortunately, the ball rebounded into her face and she had to go off with a bloody nose.

Still Blues rolled forward. Asha did well to win the ball back and power into the box before slamming a shot which the keeper saved really well. Asha then turned provider, releasing Abby who put a good shot narrowly wide. While the Blues strikers and attacking midfield were dominating proceedings, Beanie, Rose and Phoebe were all in attack mode in defensive midfield positions, providing an impenetrable shield and allowing Hazel and Olive some space and time in defence.

As the half progressed, Wantage started to grow into the game a bit more. Rose mopping up most danger in midfield and, occasionally, when called upon, Hazel and Olive doing a great job to s***f out any attacking momentum that Wantage were building. Then on the stroke of half time the Blues got their deserved second goal.

Beanie won the ball brilliantly in midfield and then played an absolute beauty of a ball to Asha on the half-way line. Asha raced through with power and pace, leaving defenders in her wake, and slammed an absolute belter into the bottom left from the right side of the goal. The keeper had been outstanding up to that point but had no chance with that one. Asha almost allowed herself a celebration too.

Blues 2 – 0 Wantage (Asha)

Shortly after, the referee blew his whistle to bring to an end a breathless and pulsating half which saw the Blues pepper the Wantage goal, but leaving the pitch with only two goals to show for it. Lilly barely had anything to do but dealt with everything efficiently when she was called upon.

HT Blues 2 – 0 Wantage (Asha x2)

The second half kicked off with Paris back on the pitch, now recovered from the nasty looking ball-to-face incident. Within seconds Lilly was called upon to be out bravely to smother a rare Wantage attack. Lilly kicked out well and forced Wantage to concede a corner deep in their half. Paris found Asha with an excellent long throw but Asha couldn’t quite convert as the keeper saved well. Seconds later from the goal kick, Asha broke and had a good left foot shot well saved and was marginally off target again a minute later. The second half pattern largely imaging the pattern of the first half.

The Blues needed to score a third to put the game to bed. Paris seemed determined to do just that when she broke well from the edge of her own box, beat two tackles to carry it to the Wantage by-line and put in a peach of a cross that Abby hit well but which was matched by another fine save by the Wantage keeper. Then another great save from the keeper, this time getting down low to tip a shot from Asha around the post. Then Beanie decided to get in on the act, hitting a beauty from the left side of the box which arrowed narrowly wide. Even Hazel had a go on goal, having a shot go just wide.

Next it was Phoebe’s turn to have a go, controlling one well on the edge of the box and having a cracking half-volley well saved. Then Beanie fed Phoebe who wound up brilliantly for a 25yarder but unfortunately skewed it wide. That would have been one for the Match of the Day camera’s had that gone in!

Asha then turned provider as a lovely one two with Paris on the edge of the box required the Wantage keeper to come out bravely and smother at Paris’ feet just as she was about to pull the trigger.

Finally on 55minutes the elusive third goal came for the Blues. It was going to need to be something special, or freaky, to beat the inspired Wantage keeper and the Blues Ultra’s got the latter. Olive went on one of her cracking mazy runs and put in a lovely left foot cross to Asha and Abby who were waiting with intent in the box. But it hit a Wantage defender on the way in and spun into the back of the net with the outstanding Wantage keeper totally wrong footed. It will likely go down as an own goal but the positive, attacking intent was all Olive’s, and deserved a goal as a reward.

Blues 3 – 0 Wantage (o.g.)

From the kick off the Blues sensed blood and piled forward. Paris put a great throw into Asha who wriggled through two tackles, and laced a powerful drive which the keeper did well to palm out but only into the stride of the onrushing Abby who just got underneath it and put it narrowly over. Beanie then put one narrowly wide after making a lovely connection from the edge of the box.

Asia, despite having missed a few games was having an inspired game in midfield, winning key tackles and making some simple, effective passes, on one occasion winning a couple of crunching tackles in the centre circle and releasing Abby with a beautiful through ball. Unfortunately, the wind and slope meant Abby couldn’t quite make it and the ball trickled out of play.

There was time for the Blues to have one more shot on goal, this time Paris hitting a screamer which was well saved by the Wantage keeper, before the referee blew his whistle, bringing an extraordinary game to an end. Blues must have had 20 shots on target, which on another day would have resulted in a landslide victory, but the exceptional Wantage keeper had other ideas. Despite the two league difference between the two sides, the Wantage team can be proud of this result and performance and will do well in their league if they carry on playing in their determined, combative and assertive style.

FT Blues 3 – 0 Wantage (Asha x 2, o.g.)

Summertown Jaguars next up in the league at Grovelands on the 25th February

Summertown Meerkats v Headington Blues
Saturday 4th February, 2023
League Cup, Group Stages

Following on from the convincing victory in the League Cup against Premier League Stonesfield before Christmas, Blues took to the astroturf pitch today looking to continue their good run in this cup competition and to build on the excellent result against Tower Hill in the County Cup last weekend. The Meerkats finished top three in the premier league last season however so were not going to be rolled over easily and Blues job was made harder by the fact that Asia, Faith and Sian were all missing.

And so it proved in the opening exchanges with the Meerkats roaring into an early lead through some progressive attacking moves, Lilly keeping the Blues in the game with a brilliant and brave stop when it looked like the Meerkats were going to double their lead. The Meerkats did get their second within a few minutes however, but not before Abby had a good break and shot well saved by the diminutive but classy Meerkats goalkeeper.

Meerkats 2 – 0 Blues

Blues still kept coming though, Abby again having a good chance, her rocket shot well parried onto the post by the excellent Meerkats keeper. Blues were beginning to play well through the middle of the pitch, Beanie winning a few battles and threading some lovely passes, Mariyah nearly getting onto the end of one which would have seen her one on one with the defender.

But at the other end the Meerkats were looking very threatening with some crisp passing, control and powerful finishing. Olive had to be alert on the 20min mark and put in a sensational goal saving tackle, with shades of Bobby Moore against Pele, just when it looked like the outstanding no14 was through on goal for the Meerkats. However, from the resulting passage of play the Meerkats got their third, the ball somehow trickling over the line from a speculative shot through a crowd of players.

Meerkats 3 – 0 Blues

If Olive’s tackle before that goal was epic, the subsequent tackle from Hazel was legendary, once again denying the rampant Meerkat forward line another goal, and then narrowly avoiding taking the heads off one of the Summertown spectators with her clearance in the process. Then a stroke of misfortune in the box resulted in the Meerkats fourth goal. Olive cleared the ball from a dangerous cross, but the ball somehow ricocheted off a Meerkats’ players back and into the goal. There was nothing anyone could have done about that. And with this freak goal it looked like the Meerkats were running away with the game, despite Blues having plenty of possession and a couple of good chances.

Meerkats 4 – 0 Blues

Following some further brilliant defending from Olive and Hazel, Blues forced a corner and Paris whipped it in well, Asha got on the end of it and struck it cleanly but it hit a Meerkats defender on the line, who knew little about it, but was pleased to see the ball ping off harmlessly for a throw. On the break Meerkats scored their fifth of the half, a swift surging move which their forward finished in style. The whistle was blown for half-time and while Meerkats deserved to be in the lead due to some exceptional forward play, the Blues were perhaps unfortunate to be five goals down at half-time.

HT Meerkats 5 – 0 Blues

The second half kicked off with Blues immediately on the front foot. Asha took a ball in the face early doors and it looked nasty, with the crowd giving up a big “Ooh” but she carried on seemingly fine. Within seconds, Paris had threaded an absolute beauty of a pass through to Phoebe who had broken the Meerkats back line but despite her electric pace, Phoebe couldn’t quite get a cross in and the defence cleared. From the resulting attack the Meerkats scored their sixth goal, which was a really good effort to be fair.

Meerkats 6 – 0 Blues

Within seconds of the restart Meerkats nearly had their seventh, this time the stand-out no14 hitting the bar with a screamer from range. That would have been some goal. Blues then pressed forward, Asha outstripping the Meerkats number 28, and through on goal, but getting on the end of a cynical looking foul from behind that sent her flat on her back and resulted in her going off for treatment. The resulting free kick came to nothing which is a shame because that looked to be a clear goal scoring opportunity.

Blues by this point were looking for a goal to get themselves into the match and it nearly came with Mariyah nudging a lovely weighted pass through to Livvy who couldn’t quite get her shot away in the Meerkats box before being smothered by defenders and the onrushing keeper.

Asha returned to the pitch and was immediately back in the action, powering her way through three tackles and playing a glorious ball into Mariyah in the penalty area before being hacked down by a tackle that was so late it was still in the 20th Century. Mariyah was also fouled in the box, but the ref had already blown the whistle for the foul on Asha on the edge of the box. Meerkats set up a wall, but Asha stepped up and curled a beauty into the roof of the net, the keeper left with no chance and Blues had the goal that their play deserved.

Meerkats 6 – 1 Blues (Asha)

Blues kept pushing, perhaps sensing that the Meerkats were tiring, Paris and Abby with some great interplay on the edge of the box, with Abby shooting the return ball just wide. Then it was Asha and Abby’s turn to play a neat one-two on the edge of the Meerkats box, but once again the defence clearing the ball just as it looked like Blues would score.

Blues were increasingly growing into the game, Rose, Hazel and Olive having an exceptional defensive game, despite the slightly unfair scoreline and the midfield winning a number of duals. Lilly had little to do since the restart and Asha, Abby and Paris were starting to cause all sorts of problems for the Meerkats defence with nice one-twos and progressive passes into space

A rare Meerkats foray into the Blues penalty area was a good reminder of their attacking threat however, but Lilly was bravely out to save well. At the other end a lovely one-two between Abby and Asha saw Asha fire in a cross that Phoebe couldn’t quite get on the end of. That would have been some goal. Then Asha and Paris broke the defensive line with some neat interchange and Asha, having drawn the keeper out, played the ball to Paris who, instead of shooting, played it unselfishly back to Asha who couldn’t connect and a golden chance went begging. It was one of those where Asha or Paris just needed to put their laces through it. Great build up play though.

Then, against the run of play Meerkats scored their seventh

Meerkats 7 – 1 Blues

From the restart Abby had a chance which she put narrowly wide and then Blues got their deserved second goal. Mariyah, sprinting forward, was hacked badly on the edge of the box. This time Paris stepped up and torpedoed the free kick into the bottom right hand corner. Again, the keeper had no chance. Two great free-kicks, two great goals

Meerkats 7 – 2 Blues (Paris)

However, within minutes of the restart the Meerkats had scored again

Meerkats 8 – 2 Blues

Despite the fading embers of the match, and despite being six goals down, the Blues didn’t give up, first of all Asha skinning two defenders and having a powerful shot on the angle palmed away by the keeper and then Abby showing great strength to hold off the defender before firing in a shot which was again well saved.

FT Meerkats 8 – 2 Blues

A disappointing result and while Meerkats had a couple of exceptional players and played some good aggressive (sometimes too aggressive) counter attacking football, the Blues can perhaps count themselves unlucky to lose by such a margin, and on another day, might have got closer.

This result leaves us having won one and lost one in the group stages of the League Cup so far.

The Jaguars of Summertown next up at Grovelands on the 25th February.