Oxford United Women cruelly missed out on the FAWNL Southern Premier Division Title after a 1-0 defeat away at Ipswich Town Women on Sunday.
Having been at the summit of the table for most of the season, and only losing two games prior to Sunday, it was a tough way to finish third as Watford were crowned champions.
Manager Liam Gilbert though, knew it had been an incredibly successful season for his side
“First of all congratulations to Watford, as much as it hurts and it wasn’t to be our day, well done to them. Fine margins define football matches and that’s the best way to describe it.
“We’ve had some very good chances and a mistake has cost us but I think that’s semantics. It’s been a fantastic season and the fact that it comes down to a game like this when it can go either way shows that.
“We asked them to leave everything out there, and they did, we asked them to fight for eachother and they did. I’m just so proud to be able to lead this football club.
“That’s not just this group, we’ve had so many of the development squad here to support and follow the team after the fantastic season they’ve had, and it’s the same as the 16’s, 14’s, 12’s. It’s a culture that we are building and it’s something special.
“We’re there or there abouts again and it just means we are moving in the right direction. A lot of the praise goes to every single member of players and staff, the sacrifice and commitment they’ve made, and they’ve never faulted, bought in to it and gone through everything.
“It’s going to be such a tough pill to swallow and that’ll be what it’ll be. I couldn’t have asked for anything more from anyone and it just wasn’t to be today.
“I just want to embrace with the group and staff on what has been this year. We’ll pick ourselves up after today and we’ll regroup both as a collective and as individuals. That’s football, it’s why we love it and why we hate it but I’m just proud to be the head of this football club.
Thank you for all your support throughout this season.