Although Fareham first played Oxford as recently as 2021 it has quickly developed into a tough and closely fought rivalry during our five previous meetings. Meeting number six last Saturday followed a similar pattern before escalating into an even more feisty encounter in a wild second half. Following the very disappointing result against Oxford Hawks the previous week it was an opportunity for Fareham to clinch the runner-up spot against the only team who could overtake them but once again circumstances conspired against us and it will now go down to the final day.

For the third week in a row, and the fifth time in the last two months, Fareham’s match day squad was limited to twelve players. Louisa Palmer was back again to help us out in defence and Sabine Potter returned to the side for her second game of the season. Once again both played well in difficult circumstances.

The home side dictated matters in the early stages and almost took the lead from their first penalty corner in the 7th minute. Imogen Gorrell’s shot was blocked on the line and Olivia Smith’s follow-up hit the post before the visitors cleared the danger. Another shot from Gorrell was saved moments later as Fareham struggled to keep possession and establish any rhythm.

There was no real surprise when Oxford took the lead in the 15th minute from a PC. The ball was played across to captain KATIE COX who opened the scoring with a low shot.

There was little immediate sign of a Fareham response. If anything they found themselves under greater pressure and a second goal did not look far away. That goal almost came in the 22nd minute when a pass set up another chance for Imogen Gorrell but Sophia Barclay came out to smother the shot although she paid the price as a result of a shuddering collision between the two. With Sophia on the ground Oxford shot just wide of the goal.

Up to this point the visitors had barely got near the Oxford ‘D’ but very much against the run of play they found themselves level in the 28th minute. Lois Haigh intercepted a pass out of defence before picking out Zoe Stride on the edge of the ‘D’. Zoe’s shot hit the goalpost and rebounded into the path of GEORGIE WHITE who scored her first outdoor goal for Fareham from very close range.

Although the visitors may have hoped they would now settle and create more chances, it was not to be and the remainder of the first half was spent defending their own goal as Oxford won four more PCs before half-time. Fortunately they drew a blank from all these including when denied by another save from Sophia.

We were probably fortunate to still be on level terms. The home side had dominated possession and would have been disappointed not to have been ahead at half-time. Fareham knew that they needed to secure a much greater share of possession and string together more passes to give themselves a better chance to win. It had been a difficult first half and the tension was not helped by the umpires who had been disappointing with their inconsistent approach to tackles and there were also too many occasions when they were signalling in opposite directions at the same time.

There was little immediate sign of a big improvement from the visitors in the opening minutes of the second half. Oxford picked up where they had finished before the break as they looked to regain the lead. Sophia was once again called upon to save and clear the danger from a dangerous attack but from a PC in the 42nd minute the home side retook the lead. An exchange of passes between Katie Cox and KATE CUDBERTSON ended with the latter scoring from just inside the area. Two minutes later she almost scored again after a quick turn and shot just wide of the goal.

It took 45 minutes before Fareham won their first PC. This one came after a hefty challenge on Georgie White. Some of the Oxford challenges were over physical at best and although some led to cards the policing of them was a bit unreliable. To be fair the officials could probably have handed out more cards to Fareham too as there was the odd clumsy stick tackle.

Following the PC, Fareham finally started to show signs of a comeback. Georgina Haines-Woodhouse, in the Oxford goal, saved a shot from Lois Haigh and seconds later the visitors were level in the 47th minute. The goal came from a PC after Izzy Austin’s shot hit an Oxford foot. Alicia Salter had the initial shot from the corner. It was blocked and came out to Lois who also saw her effort blocked before it popped up for IZZY AUSTIN to finish emphatically and make the score 2-2.

Play was now becoming increasingly frantic and end to end as both sides pushed hard for the next goal. Georgie was the victim of another heavy challenge which led to a PC whilst moments later Oxford came close from another corner. The game was evenly poised at this point with thirteen minutes remaining but the next couple of minutes would change everything.

After another Oxford PC, Sophia Barclay was given a green card. We survived without her for just over a minute but the inevitable happened in the 58th minute as the ball was crossed for GEORGIE BOON to shoot into the unguarded goal from just inside the ‘D. That was frustrating enough but there was worse to come. Less than a minute later the umpire told Sophia that her two minute penalty was over but he would not let her return to the pitch until the ball went dead. With the keeper helpless on the touchline, KATE CUDBERTSON dispossessed a Fareham defender and rolled the ball into the empty goal for another score in the 59th minute.

Feelings were running high at this point on both sides but although there was a brief exchange of views it did not boil over into anything more than that. I must admit I was very frustrated that the umpire had not allowed Sophia back onto the pitch but he told me that the rules do not allow the keeper to return straight away after a penalty. This may be what the rules say but it felt wrong that an outfield player can go back on the pitch immediately but the return of a keeper can be delayed for an indefinite period whilst play continues.

The rapid transformation of the score had given Oxford a two goal lead and we were faced with a mountain to climb. Despite this Fareham swarmed forward and almost halved the deficit in the 63rd minute when Tara Lemon shot just wide from a penalty corner. They resumed the onslaught and they got the goal they deserved in the 67th minute. It was another scrambled effort, very much in keeping with the occasion. Izzy Austin drove into the ‘D’ and shot at goal. Zoe Stride deflected the ball against the far post and LOIS HAIGH put away the rebound.

4-3 down with about three minutes to play and there was still hope of an equalizer but it was not destined to happen. Moments later, in the 58th minute, KATE CUDBERTSON completed her hat-trick after rounding off a solo run through some tired defenders.

It had been a long and crazy second half full of goals, cards, turmoil and controversy. Considering that Fareham had never really showed any signs of their true ability until ten minutes into their second half it was an incredible battling performance against the odds and it felt like we had been cruelly denied a point. However, taking everything into account, Oxford had been the better side for most of the game and could have built up a significant lead before Fareham hit their stride. We may not be the biggest fans of their coach but they are a good side and they played well.

Oxford University duly wrapped up first place and promotion with another victory but it looks like they too have found it harder in recent games as they recorded another narrow win. With one game remaining we remain second in the table with Oxford two points behind us. Obviously we would like to finish with a win at home to Salisbury on Saturday (13.30) but if we don’t then a draw should be sufficient unless Oxford win their final match by eighteen goals. Then again with all that we have had to contend with this season anything could happen !