The sun blazed down on a chill but calm morning. The spectators made their way to the east side of the pitch to avoid the glare of the Sun (Spring……if not summer …..must be on its way).

Ducklington started confidently and three minutes in Abbey Lloyd dispossessed a Charlbury player, crossed to Lauren Major who beat the Charlbury defence but saw her shot saved; Charlbury countered and within seconds Katie Weaving was making a save in the home goal mouth.

Katie’s goal kick found Laura Jones who sliced through the Charlbury defence and slotted the ball in to take Ducklington into the lead. 1-0

At the other end of the pitch skipper Katie Weaving , in as temporary relief keeper for the start of the half, was in form as ever, commanding her defensive ‘wall’ with Holly Keylock, Abbey Lloyd and Emily Gee containing the Charlbury attacks.

With seven minutes gone Francis Hook dazzled the crowd with some silky skills just inside the visitors half, in front of the home fans, she, wrong fitted the Charlbury midfielder to the crowds delight and sent the ball through to Lauren Major whose shot skimmed the top of the bar.

Charlbury returned with their No. 6 weaving back towards the home goal but the resultant shot screamed left of the mark.

Twelve minutes in saw Emily Gee block a Charlbury attack and thread the ball through to Lauren Major whose cross to Laura Jones was a gift which she duly drilled in from the right to take the home side into a two goal lead. 2-0

On the quarter of an hour mark it was Charlbury’s turn and their ever dangerous No.6 was at it again, this time breaking down the right wing and shooting an unstoppable effort to put the visitors back in contention. 2-1

Ducklington answered the call with a Katy Hoare pass to Laura Jones - onto Lauren Major and a shot which was again robbed by the cross bar being a fraction too low!!

Ducklington continued to pile on the pressure and in the eighteenth minute a Katie Weaving free kick drew a deflection . The resultant corner found Holly Keylock whose shot was deflected wide.

Two minutes later and Holly was back at the other end of the pitch with Katy Weaving defending another run by the yellow booted Charlbury No.6. As the half roller coastered to an end Ella Butler fed across through to Laura Jones-the shot saved - picked up by Ella again but this time pushed wide by the keeper.

The half finished with the visitors taking in the goal advantage. Ducklington maintained the momentum into the second half with a Francis Hook shot wide of the left post in the opening minute. Charlbury countered drilling the a goal attempt into the side netting. It was then Katy Weavings turn taking delivery of a throw in at the other end to send a screaming ’daisy cutter’ into the hands of the Charlbury keeper.

The seventh minute saw Katy Weavings free kick clip the right hand post and the rebound brought attempts from all of the Duck strike force but amazingly the ball failed to find the back of the net. Charlbury cleared catching Ducklington off guard and their shot at the far end drew a diving save from the returning Ducklinton keeper Viv ‘Stopper’ Hughes.

Ten minutes elapsed and Francis Hook took delivery from a Laura Jones cross only to see her shot cleared.

Eleven minutes in, another Katy Weaving free kick and another save from the ‘woodwork’ at the Charlbury end.

On the twelve minute mark there was a moment of poetry in the Ducklington ranks as Francis Hook passed to Ella Butler who touched it on to Laura Jones who passed to Lauren Major, the shot rebounded off the post to Laura Jones who took no hesitation in securing her hatrick. 3-1

Ducklington continued to maintain the upper hand and the meticulous training reaped dividends as Ducklington again put on an inspired build up in the seventeenth minute of the half. This time Ella Butler stroked the ball through to Francis Hook, Franny nudged it back to Ella who laid it off to Lauren Major on the left leaving Lauren to crack home the shot to take Ducklington to a three goal lead.4-1

A minute later and Katy Weavings shot went wide of the right post and then in the dying seconds of the match Ella Butler made a brilliant run setting up Lauren Major only for the shot to be saved.

The final whistle sounded another great Ducklington victory with the final score at 4-1

Laura Jones collected the Ducklington Player of the Match award for battling effort and cracking goals.