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Saturday, September 27, 2025

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Farnborough bow out with honour

Farnborough 2 Oxford City 3

Oxford City made sure that there was no Adobe Women's FA Cup upset with a 3-2 away win over Farnborough in a very entertaining match where the higher tier visitors were generally in control but the hosts, in the most challenging match of their short existence, did themselves proud with a determined display.

 

City forced two corners in the opening minute and showed some delightful attacking intent in the early stages, repeatedly trying to turn the home defence with early balls for the speed of their attacking trio. Led by skipper Leighann May, the hosts stood up to frequent dangerous runs and crosses and were able to restrict the visitors to shots from distance.

 

Farnborough also had the ability to test the City defence on occasion and Ellie Stalley had the clearest opening of the match on 28 minutes shooting over from close range as keeper Hannah Gerrow challenged. City did take the lead soon after when Kate Parsons struck a first time lofted effort from wide on the right which flew into the top right of Beth Bye's goal, giving the keeper no chance.

 

Oxford started the second half as they had the first, dominating territory and forcing several corners. In truth, their finishing was wasteful in this early period and Stalley made them pay with an opportunist equaliser, chasing down a long clearance and beating defenders and keeper to lob the ball in on 59 minutes.

 

The shock of this leveller seemed to concentrate the Southern Region Premier Division team's minds. They won and missed a penalty within two minutes, then retook the lead as Ellie White ran through the middle to fire past Bye. When Grace Craven ran on to a long free kick to finish well on 72  minutes it seemed that it might be a difficult last twenty minutes for the hosts.

 

Stalley had other ideas. Cutting in from the left wing about 30 yards out she hit a  perfect lofted drive beyond Gerrow for her fourth FA Cup goal of the season on 74 minutes to give the Division One North newcomers hope.

 

Understandably, the match became stretched as the home team put on the pressure to find the leveller but were frequently caught on the counter. Two late free kicks right on the edge of the area gave Farnborough hope but one drifted wide and the other was held by Gerrow and Oxford City saw out the match for a narrow but deserved win.

 

The victors will now host Denham United in the Third Qualifying Round whilst Farnborough, having dominated at County League level last season will continue to gain valuable experience in league and local Cup competitions.

Farnborough FC Women: Beth Bye, Leighann May, Ana Pitts, Ellie Stalley, Bryony Gibbs, Izzy Woodger, Kelly Rutledge, Laura Quinn-Low, Danielle Jones, Lily Stride, Poppy Hawken. Subs: Morgan Palmer, Tallie Margilewska, Esme Parsons, Katie Taylor, Jordan Thompson.

Oxford City: Hannah Gerrow, Amy Leach, Georgina Tayman, Amelia Davis, Kate Parsons, Emily Harris, Ellie White, Anna O’Leary, Lucy White, Grace Craven, Billie French. Subs: Reese Ayres, Xiomara Wellington-Faissal, Sophie Lester, Ellie Walecki, Francesca Raymond-Barker, Jess Austin, Megan Fillary.