Middlesex Ladies opened their South East Counties Championship programme with an amzing 6-5 win over Oxfordshire Ladies at Oxford City FC on Wednesday evening. I The visitors took the lead in the first minute when Holly Sandow’s crossfield pass was smashed home by Miranda Hall.

However, within 15 minutes they found themselves 4-1 down.

In only the third minute of the game Hannah Smye equalised for Oxford from the spot after a foul by Hall and, seven minutes later, Hannah Smye fired Oxfordshire in front.

Then Rosa Summers and Felicity West both struck in the space of two minutes, forcing Middlesex boss John Abbott into a tactical chance.

Pushing right back Chloe Vernon-Hamilton into midfield brought an immediate result as her cross was converted by Holly Sandow.

Two minutes later Sara Sinclair was fouled by Oxfordshire keeper Hannah Cox (Reading) and Sandow emphatically converted the penalty.

Almost immediately Vernon-Hamilton, who is the first product of the Middlesex Girls’ Centre of Excellence to gain representative honours, just cleared the Oxford bar with a fierce drive.

Middlesex started the second half in similar vein. A good movement in the first minute of the half, involving Nicola Carty and Riana Soobadoo, resulted in Sandow firing wide.

The equaliser came in the 51st minute after Hall had rattled the crossbar with a freekick. Carty, following up, netted the rebound.

Ally Cole made the first of 2 excellent second half saves in the 55th minute when she parried a goalbound shot from Felicity West.

Middlesex regained the lead after 62 minutes through Hall, who volleyed home Sara’s cross.

However, the home side were not finished yet and Ann Harvey (Mansfield Road) squared things up with a shot on the turn in the 67th minute.

Middlesex pressed forward in search of a winner, with signs of tiredness apparent from both sides and went close several times.

The winning goal eventually came in the 84th minute when Hall’s cross was deflected into her own net by defender Emma Kidd.

Team: Ally Cole, Becky Hipgrave, Chloe Vernon-Hamilton, Alison Read (all Barnet), Kerrie Marlborough (capt)(Enfield Town), Lydia Bedford, Riana Soobadoo (both Barnet), Nicola Carty (Enfield Town) (sub 76 min Danielle Matton (Denham United), Miranda Hall (Barnet), Sara Sinclair (Enfield Town), Holly Sandow (Barnet). Subs (unused): Candice McNeil (Enfield Town), Alissa Down, Char Bungaroo (both Denham United).

Manager: John Abbott Coach: Terry Matton Physio: Gary Strudwick