A chill spring day welcomed the Ducklington squad and supporters to the away clash with league leaders Kidlington.

Kidlington, who looked a strong side tried to stamp their mark on the game from the start with a shot just wide of the target in the opening minute. Ducklington responded well and looked composed in the opening five minutes including a well worked build up in the third minute which looked set to put the visitors ahead.

A cross from Sophie Pymm to Francis Hook who laid it off to Katie Hoare then back to Franny who set up Lauren Major only for the shot skim wide of the left post. Six minutes in and a Kidlington attack was stopped by the safe hands of Keeper Viv Hughes who touched the shot over the bar.

Eight minutes gone and Ducklington took it back to the home side with a composed clearance from Katy Hoare to the feet of Sophie Pymm. Sophie crossed to Lauren Major who drilled the ball at the keeper and in the ensuing mêlée, the ’Porridge fuelled’ Francis Hook cleared up and nailed the ball into the back of the net. 0-1

Ten minutes in and Ducklington skipper Katie Weaving let fire with a typical powerful clearance, much to the dismay of the referee who got caught in the firing line, fortunately for him his shorts took the brunt of the impact!! Ouch.. that must of hurt! In spite of the referees ‘intervention’ Ducklington secured two corners from the attack but unfortunately the good deliveries from Lauren Major failed to find their mark.

On the quarter of an hour mark Kidlington were awarded a free kick on the edge of the area. The powerful strike was ably dealt with by Viv Hughes who palmed it wide of the goal. Then two minutes later Kidlingtons perseverance was rewarded with the equaliser nicking, just to the left of Viv Hughes and into the back of the net. 1-1

Kidlington tried to capitalise after the restart and caught the Ducklington defence off guard a minute later but the shot was collected by Viv Hughes. There followed a period of stalemate. Ducklingtons attacks from Laura Jones and Ella Butler could not break through the strong Kidlington defence and at the other end Katie Weaving, Holly Keylock and Katy Hoare maintained the same level of security in the Ducklington area.

Just before the twenty five minute mark Ella Butler walked from the pitch having sustained a kick to the thigh whilst defending a Kidlington attack.It was not looking promising for Ducklington as the home side were awarded a corner after one minute of injury time. Ducklington cleared the cross and the whistle signalled the end to an evenly matched half. Two minutes after the restart and a Ducklington defensive error gifted the home side the lead.2-1

Ducklington countered but repeated attacks from Laura Jones and Ella Butler could not break the Kidlington defence. On the eleven minute mark Ella threaded the ball through to Laura but the shot was deflected wide for a corner. The corner, this time from Laura to Ella was again cleared. A minute later and Francis Hook shot was saved and cleared. Ducklington secured three corners in succession in the eighteenth minute but failed to convert. Then four minutes later and a Sophie Pymm cross to Ella Butler was feed on to Lauren Major but the Kidlington defence again cleared on the edge of the area.

Then in the dying seconds of the game Kidlington took advantage of another moment of confusion in the Ducklington defence to take the home side to a two goal lead.3-1

Ducklington had been unlucky with the final score line flattering the home side but with only themselves to blame for giving away the advantage.

Francis Hook collected the Ducklington Player of the Match award for a battling effort throughout and the Ducklington goal-bring on the porridge!!