Posted by ChrisB on September 20, 2007, 9:30 pm This weekend Windsor & Eton visit Court Place Farm for a league match. They have a history on a parallel with City’s in terms of age, but early meetings between the sides were uncommon as they moved between leagues (Athenian to Corinthian to Metropolitan to Delphian to Athenian) for nearly 60 years before finally alighting in the Isthmian League in 1981. They first faced City in the league in 83-4 when they did the double on their way to the championship of Division 1, and we didn’t face them again until 94-5 in Division 2 when they were in the process of suffering three successive relegations. The ‘biggest’ match between the two sides was undoubtedly in the 85-6 season when they beat us 1-0 at the White House after a 2-2 draw at Stag Meadow in the Fourth Qualifying Round of the FA Cup with a home tie against Torquay United at stake. They then held their illustrious opponents to a draw at Stag Meadow, before bowing out of the competition in Devon. THEN
September 22nd
NOW
On September 22nd 1945 City were playing at Aylesbury in their second FA Cup match since the restart of the competition after WW2: they had already beaten Uxbridge 4-0. The crowds were flocking back to football and, even though this was still an early round of the cup, nigh on 3000 filed through the gates and interest was high in this comparatively local derby. As the Oxford Mail reported.
“Oxford City proved a great attraction at Aylesbury as both sides had won all their previous games this season. James lost the toss and kicked against a strong wind which prevented them settling to their usual play. Though they had slightly better of the early play Aylesbury still pressed forward and Vale scored with a cross-shot. This was the only goal of the half. The approach work of the City was good but there was little sting in the shooting. After the break the wind dropped and City were on top more or less throughout. Hagar equalised with a header and then in a City attack a defender handled and Townsend made no mistake with the kick. A penalty was awarded to the home side with ten minutes remaining and Vale was entrusted with the kick. As Jefferies infringed by moving before the kick was taken the referee placed the ball on the spot again but this time Vale shot wide and City hung on for a well merited victory.”
It was a good day for the City with a 7-1 win against GWR Sports for a Reserve side that included two players who would, within two or three years, be playing the professional game at the highest level: Rex Adams (Blackpool) and Eddie Wilcox (WBA). Oh, and Headington United beat Didcot 17-1!
City beat Southall in the next round but then went out to Slough United in the Third Qualifying Round, their first defeat of the season, in a match that many eager City supporters couldn’t get to as the M.O.T. would only allow the club one coach with petrol still a precious commodity so soon after the war’s end.
City enjoyed a great campaign in the League and it was neck and neck throughout the season between City and Walthamstow Avenue for the title. The decisive match came at the end of April when City travelled to London and lost 4-1, arriving without a full team and having to call upon George Arlett, a pre-War player with the club who was watching from the stand, to make up the eleven! City won the return match at the White House a week later in front of more than 6000 supporters, but their best ever chance of winning the League had gone.
In the Oxfordshire Senior Cup they had to contend with RAF Moreton-in-Marsh and Churchill Hospital on their way to the final where, watched by almost 7000, they soundly beat Headington United 4-0.
...perhaps this one's a little too old to stir any memories??!
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