Blue skies and a woodland back drop greeted the Ducklington faithful who had journeyed across the water (over Eynsham Toll Bridge) for the second game of the season and first away fixture. The tight pitch dimensions would make for an interesting game and favour the dominant side.

Ducklington took control of the game from the start with a shot from Sophie Pym in the first seconds of the game screaming wide of the target and then, still within the first minute another run from Sophie and a pin point cross to the feet of Skipper Ella Butler who notched up her first of the day. 0-1

Two minutes into the game and a long throw in from Katie Weaving straight to Ella Butler set up the skippers second. 0-2

There followed a series of shots from Sophie Pym, Laura Jones and Ella Butler when Kennington found their composure and in the seventh minute a well worked build up saw the Kennington shot clasped into the safe hands of Ducklington Keeper Viv Hughes.

Nine minutes in and another shot on target from Sophie Pym drew a great save from the Kennington keeper, the ball was cleared but soon repossessed by Ducklington culminating in a net busting strike from the right by Laura Jones into the top left hand corner of the Kennington goal. 0-3

Counter attacks from Kennington were ably dealt with by Holly Keylock , Katie Weaving and Abby Lloyd.

On the quarter of an hour mark Lauren Major came on in to the Midfield roll and put her first touch wide of the left post following up a minute later with a cross to Sophie Pymm, who this time found the back of the net. 0-4

Kennington responded well but a cracking shot in the eighteenth minute putting Viv Hughes under pressure drew a fine aerial save.

A pitch length run from Ella Butler in the twentieth minute set up Sophie Pymm’s feed to Laura Jones who slipped the ball past the Kennington Keeper for her second of the day. 0-5

Ducklington continued to dominate in all positions culminating in the dying seconds of the half with yet another shot from Ella Butler failing to find the net on this occasion.

Ducklington left the pitch with heads held high and a five goal lead. The supporters had waited a long time for this moment and were enjoying every second.

Kennington regrouped making a number of tactical changes including the introduction of their first half keeper onto the pitch. A shrewd tactical move, as it turned, out with the young No.9 putting in a dazzling performance and a relief to the Ducklington squad that she had not been there in the first half.

The second half started as the first finished with Lauren Major finding the back of the net within the first two minutes. 0-6

The Kennington No. 9 responded a minute later with their first goal of the game. 1-6

Almost immediately Ducklington responded with a cracking run and strike from Francis Hook who saw her shot saved by the replacement keeper.

The encounter raced ahead with efforts from both sides and countless crosses and text book marking giving the Ducklington management a lot to draw from. Defensively commandeered by Katie Weaving and Katie Hoare Ducklington could not be passed.

THE HATRICK was nailed by Ella Butler in the seventeenth minute taking Ducklington to an unassailable lead and the score to 1-7

The game finished with the score at 1-7 for what must surely be Ducklingtons finest hour. An elated Ducklington side left the pitch with happy faces all round.

Ducklington’s player of the match award was closely fought between the defensive brilliance of Katie Weaving but was deservedly awarded to Ella Butler whose hatrick and all round performance had put the result beyond doubt.

A fantastic day for the Ducks.

Laura Fires One Home