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OUAFC Women thrash Cambridge 5-0

Last Wednesday, Oxford Women’s Blues Football Team pulled off what may go down as the best result for any Oxford sports team this Michaelmas as they thrashed Cambridge on their own turf in the BUCS Midlands 1A league. On a rainy and grey day at Fitzwilliam College sports ground, Oxford were looking for revenge, having lost 2-0 in last year’s fixture, and they managed to get it in emphatic style.
As you might expect, there was a lively start to the game, and it was Oxford who took the early initiative as Lucie Bowden (Worcester) struck the bar in the 1st minute. Unfortunately, disaster struck early on as fresher Emma Lyonette was forced off in the fifth minute with an injury, meaning there had to be a shift in personnel, with Bowden moving from striker to makeshift centreback. Nonetheless the Blues soon managed to break the deadlock courtesy of Helen Bridgman’s (St Hugh’s) effort from a slick through ball from Kat Nutman (LMH).
This was Bridgman’s first goal for the Blues, and although it looked suspiciously offside it was well deserved based on the way Oxford started the game. A second came soon after as Becca May chipped in a ball to Sophie Cooper who slotted home stylishly into the bottom left corner.
Cooper managed to notch in two more before half-time to complete her hat-trick, which included two headed goals. Impressive considering she is only 5”2’. With the score 4-0 at half time, and the Cambridge team looking all but beaten, it seemed like it would be a question of how many goals Oxford could rack up.
A quiet second half ensued with Kat Nutman’s stunning run from Oxford’s penalty area to Cambridge’s six yard box the highlight. Unfortunately, her shot crept just wide of the goal. Bridgman later managed to score another to complete a brace.
With the final score at 5-0 and the opposition humiliated, the Oxford team will take lots of confidence into the rest of the season; managing the momentum from this result is imperative, with the potential for a league and varsity double still on the cards.
The result leaves Oxford joint top of the league with Nottingham 1sts, but the Oxford team have a game in hand. Cambridge, on the other hand, are bottom with -12 goal difference and 0 points. This sets up a tasty encounter for varsity in Hilary, when the two teams come head-to-head again on February 4th. 

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