A dramatic contest saw the Sirens and Oxford City play out a thrilling 4-4 draw at Test Park.
Oxford City struck first after just one minute, a smart run down the right wing ending with a low cross tapped home at the far post.

Sirens were under pressure in the opening stages of the match as they were caught playing in their own half but goalkeeper Etheridge made a smart stop to keep the score at 1-0.

The hosts then turned the game on its head in a blistering spell. At 15 minutes, Kaur’s perfectly weighted ball released Lynn, who rifled into the top corner from just inside the area. Seven minutes later, Crooks found space just inside the area for a cool cutback finish to make it 2-1. Sirens almost extended their lead on the half-hour mark with neat interplay through midfield, though Lynn’s strike was straight at the keeper.

The Hoops equalised shortly after, but Sirens regained control when Wright bundled in from Tedman’s corner on 37 minutes to take a 3-2 lead into the break in what was a frantic first half.

The second half started similarly to the first, as there was another early goal but this time for the Sirens. Tedman found herself in space and finished smartly to make it 4-2 a minute after the break.

Etheridge continued to shine, pulling off lots of superb saves while captain Mear led by example with a crucial block just past the hour mark.

When Mear was forced off injured, Oxford took advantage to pull one back after 70 minutes.

Davies and Kaur both produced outstanding last-ditch tackles to deny Oxford clear chances.

Ball’s vision nearly restored the cushion on 82 minutes, finding O’Leary who rounded the keeper but couldn’t convert from a tight angle.

City levelled again with six minutes to go, but Etheridge was not finished, pulling off yet another remarkable save to tip a fierce strike over the bar.

The drama continued deep into stoppage time when Oxford were reduced to ten players following a dangerous tackle, but Sirens couldn’t find a late winner in a breathless finish.