Hitchin Tn 0

Oxford City 3

(Barcelos 24, 37, McDonagh 76)

A superb performance from Oxford City confirmed their second-place finish in the Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division – and crucially gave them home advantage for this week’s play-offs.

Knowing that victory would see them end the campaign in second place, a first-half Felipe Barcelos double was just the tonic for Mike Ford’s side.

Conor McDonagh’s first goal for the senior team after the break rounded off a great day for the club.

City do not yet know who their opponents will be, after AFC Totton’s game at home to Bedford Town was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

They will try again tomorrow, meaning that City’s semi-final play-off game – which will be against either Stourbridge or Cambridge City – will now be played at Court Place Farm on Thursday night.

If they win, they will again be at home for the final a week today.

City were slightly fortunate not to fall behind early on when Hitchin’s Tony Fontenelle crossed, but Iewan Lewis’s effort went wide of the target.

At the other end, Andy Ballard connected with a Wayne Blossom cross, only to see the ball flick off the bar.

City were dealt a blow when James Clarke hobbled off on 14 minutes with a hamstring injury, but ten minutes later were ahead.

Steve Basham set up Barcelos, who drove home just inside the upright.

After Luke Gregson went close for the hosts, Barcelos doubled City’s lead eight minutes before half-time when he fired in from 25 yards.

The City man almost completed a first-half treble, but another effort was saved by Martin Bennet at full stretch.

After the break City were in the ascendancy and controlled the play.

Jason Mooney had a quite afternoon in City’s goal, as little was seen of the Canaries attack, such was City’s domination.

With 14 minutes remaining, City made safe the points when Barcelos gave substitute McDonagh the chance to score the third goal – his first for the first team.

Oxford City: Mooney, Clarke (Martin 14), Learoyd, Ballard, Malone, Isaac, Lyon, Benjamin (Skendi 63), Basham (McDonagh 72), Barcelos, Blossom. Sub not used: McLoughlin.

Referee: M Wilson.

Attendance: 387.