A rather cold and frosty morning greeted all of us as we arrived for this first ever game against the Marston Saints at their home ground, just a stones through away from the John Radcliffe Hospital.

A 9.45 kick off saw the home team straight on the attack with a scramble for the ball in the Ducklington box. Thankfully cleared by Katie Mullins. The game now switched as the Ducks mounted a charge down the line by Katie, supported by ‘Foxy’ they both had attempts at goal, but no luck at this stage. Both sides seemed well matched, as the ball moved from one end of the pitch to the other, but it was the ‘Ducks who piled on the pressure with some excellent midfield play by Chanel Ebanja, Gabby Hill and Tasia Horne.

It was Katie who seemed to be everywhere constantly picking up the ball midfield and moving it up the left wing with speed. Some really fine crosses by her time and time again in to the box almost finding ‘Foxy’ and Chanel who were always ready to make that final shot at goal. The Marston defence was very well organised today and time after time their defenders closed down any Ducklington attack.

After a while it seemed that the ‘Ducks’ best chance would come from a corner, with the ever artful Eleanor Thompson mixing things up in the Marston Goal mouth, keeping the Marston goalie on her toes. But no one was outwitting the home defence today and they always seemed to be very much on the case. There was a feeling on the line that this game could go either way.

Into the second half and within minutes Chanel unusually came off worse as a hard tackle forced her to take a break from the game to recover. The tide turned now and some fine play by the home side, saw some great breaks in midfield putting the ‘Ducks’ defence under pressure. Both Megan Ostle and Millie Eaton held their ground well though, but Megan Want in goal was put under pressure at times, but she coped well and seemed well in control in her new role this season as team goalie.

Chanel now recovered, she was back in midfield with her usual fire and determination to make it to the Marston goal. She was constantly on the attack, feeding ball up field fuelling the Katie/foxy partnership which continued to work well producing some opportunities to score. However the long awaited goal came from a sharp break in midfield by Katie, who ran straight at goal centre chipping the ball clean over the heads of both the Marston defence and the goalie to put the visitors one nill up.

A corner taken towards the end of the game by Katie, ricochet of a Marston defender bounced back at her, quick as a flash she struck at goal. Wow! if only, but the ball was to hit the post. Some amazing lightning reactions, a shear joy to watch.

As the final whistle blow, this had defiantly been a very enjoyable and exciting game to watch.

Final Score 0-1 Well done girls!

Player Of The Match :- Chanel Ebanja

Gabby Hill In Action (Photo By Ed Mullis)

Megan Ostle Shows Her Skills - (Photo By Ed Mullis)

Milly "Foxy" Foxcroft On A Run - (Photo By Ed Mullis)

Katie Mullis Takes Them On - (Photo By Ed Mullis)

Player Of The Match - Chanel Ebanja - (Photo By Ed Mullis)