Blues brush aside Brunel challenge
The Dark Blues entered this match with a confident outlook, having triumphed over Cambridge a fortnight ago when Brunel had only managed a draw some weeks earlier.
Oxford's confidence was rewarded within the first minute of the match, with a fine deflection from Nicky Blucher putting the first goal past a shaky Brunel.
The scoring continued just two minutes later with Oxford driving into the D to earn a short corner and another goal, this time with a well-aimed strike from Cate Reynolds.
Oxford's winning streak was sustained, this time with fresher Vicky Bryant finding the backboard and taking the home team to a 3-0 lead.
A quick break down the middle from Brunel's centre midfield saw the Blues momentarily lose their poise and resulted in a short corner. However this was quickly dealt with, and disallowed.
Oxford's fourth came again from Reynolds, with a well timed shot past a bewildered and, frankly, stationary, Brunel keeper.
Towards the end of the first half Brunel began to gain some possession of the ball, but any attempts were ably met with some solid defending from Jo Dyer and Jo Sumpter, with Captain Kate Adlington making some crucial interceptions whilst chasing back from her attacking end of the pitch.
Oxford asserted their dominance once more just before half time with a cracking short corner block routine setting up Vice Captain Amy Garne for Oxford's fifth mark on the score sheet.
Brunel could only manage a single goal; a well timed shot narrowly beating Kate Filo in the Oxford goal.
Oxford responded with an on-form Reynolds picking up a hat-trick from a rebound in the mouth of the Brunel goal.
Minutes later Reynolds was instrumental in setting up Oxford's seventh goal with a nifty drive down the left wing to set up Blucher for a clean strike from the penalty spot, her second goal of the match.
The parting comment to Brunel came from another well-drilled Oxford short corner, in which coach John Shaw decided to chop the team around a bit to test their spontaneity under pressure.
Oxford certainly did not disappoint, as the ball, flying at waist height, was driven into the net by Adlington in mid-air bringing the final score line to a resounding 8-1.
It was a well-deserved win by the Blues, who are entitled to credit for refusing to slacken the pace.
18th Nov 2004