Football tradition was revived at Oxford City’s MGroup Stadium on Tuesday 4 March, as the prestigious Town v Gown fixture returned – this season welcoming the inaugural women’s fixture alongside the men’s game.

Contested between Oxford City Football Club and Oxford University AFC, the fixtures were supported by Oxfordshire FA match officials.

Graham Norris, Brian Kirk, Nigel Lambert, John Boodle, Rob Jones and Josh Brown made up the fixtures’ refereeing teams on a brilliant night of football.

In the women’s game, the first of the two to be played in the Oxford sunshine, Oxford City Women overcame Oxford University Women 2-1, thanks to goals from Yasmin Edwards and Evie Hargreaves, following Matilda Beloou’s opener for the Uni.

In the men’s fixture, Oxford City fielded an extremely strong side blended with youth and experience against a rotating Oxford University team – and the experience of the Hoops showed as the side put eight past the Uni without reply. Goals from Kauan Bittencourt De Oliviera, Brayden Daniel, Josh McConnell, Tom Scott, Corie Andrews, and a Rohan Vaughan hat-trick.

Please click here to read a full report from both games, courtesy of Oxford City.

While it was great to see these fixtures return, it was even better to witness first-hand the power of football to bring people together, celebrate the game, and connect with the Oxford community while raising money for charity.

You can find out more about the long history of the Town v Gown fixture by clicking here.

Oxfordshire FA looks forward to continuing to support these fixtures, which are set to return permanently from this year to continue to unite the community through the beautiful game.