Oxford United Women won 2-1 at Cardiff City in the last game of the season to finish in fifth place in the FA Women’s National League Southern Premier Division.

Leading scorer Zoe Barratt scored both Oxford’s goals, one in either half, to end the season with 23 goals, 18 in the league, to finish third in the division’s top scorer chart. Cardiff City Ladies’ last game under that title – they’re changing to Gwalia United for next season – scored an equaliser through Ruby Scahill.

Barratt scored United’s first goal after just nine minutes. A quick throw caught out the Cardiff defence to leave Barratt clear on goal and she fired home off the underside of the bar to open the scoring.

It could have been 2-0 moments later as Sarah King converted, but the assistant referee flagged for offside to rule it out.

After weathering further United pressure, Cardiff cam back into the game towards the end of the first half, but they could find no way past Caitlin Crierie and the sides went into the break with Oxford in front.

After a slow start to the second half, the home side started to gain some momentum in the driving Pontypridd rain, and with around 20 minutes remaining, Scahill’s long-range effort brought Cardiff’s equaliser.

Undeterred, United regrouped and, with seven minutes remaining, Oxford regained the lead. Ukrainian midfielder Vitallia Budaieva’s shot was parried by Laura O’Sullivan in the Cardiff goal and Barratt was first to react to finish the season on a high for the U’s.

United: Crierie, Wiseman, Jenkins, Noble, Barratt, Cook (Trinder), Liggett, King, Burridge, Gibson (Richardson), Budaieva (Flynn)