5:32pm 

And here's the report. A disappointing day, but Oxford ultimately deserved both victories. Thank you very much for following along with Varsity today, and goodbye!

5:25pm 

Match report coming up...

5:06pm 

And that’s that, it finishes Oxford 2-0 Cambridge.  The scoreline seems a reasonably fair result for two sides who were relatively even. Oxford, however, were simply more clinical with their finishing and creative in their attacks.

5:06pm 

Corner after Cambridge corner and not one can find its way into the Oxford net. Seconds left now.

5:03pm 

We're in added time now.

5:02pm 

Box crowded with Cambridge players but the Oxford defence are able to clear.

5:02pm 

Free kick on the edge of the box to Cambridge for handball. Right on the line - so very nearly a penalty. Could be a lifeline for the Light Blues with minutes to go.

4:59pm 

Goalscorer Chris Coveney subbed off to a round of applause with five minutes to go. Replaced by Fidan Suljik. Meanwhile defender, Ryan Clark, is brought on to shore up the 2-0 lead. His first job is to remove a dark blue flare from the pitch.

4:55pm 

Plenty of balls into the Oxford box in the last five minutes, but only the two centre backs left in defence for Cambridge. Coveney very nearly capitalises through a quick counter-attack but the score remains 2-0.

4:54pm 

10 minutes left and Cambridge are maintaining the pressure. Almost all of the play is in Oxford’s half now, but no clear cut chances just yet.

4:47pm 

15 minutes left in this match. Cambridge still trail by two goals to nil but they don’t look out of it just yet. Nor do they look panicked. There could still be a twist in these last moments, with Oshasha posing an increasing threat to Oxford down the left wing.

4:46pm 

Goal line scramble in the Oxford box as Fortina Oshasha gets to the bye line to deliver an incredibly dangerous ball. None of the Oxford defenders were able to clear cleanly and Harry Way dives on it to end the Cambridge move.

4:44pm 

Oshasha instantly looking dangerous up the left wing. Turns his man wonderfully with his first touch and gets brought down as a result.

4:41pm 

Cambridge make a second substitution in an attempt to change the last twenty minutes of the game. Fortina Oshasha on for Patrick Mortimer.

4:40pm 

An effort from Kanwei takes a similar trajectory, flying well wide of the far post once again. Cambridge are pushing for a goal back though.

4:38pm 

A decent period of controlled possession for Cambridge results in a long range effort from Jason Cotsapas, which ultimately flies well wide of Harry Way’s goal. Still 2-0.

4:37pm 

Another chance for Cambridge. Captain Alex Bull heads over from a corner delivered by Ryan Hoffman.

4:32pm 

Some good work from Cambridge following the second Oxford goal. Hoffman and Kanwei linking up well on the edge of the Oxford box. A corner then goes to the Light Blues, but is headed away to no avail. 2-0.

4:28pm 

It's a second for the Dark Blues. Alfie Cicale nods a header past Tim Wallace, who mistimed his attempt to catch an inswinging cross from a free kick. Oxford 2-0 Cambridge.

4:27pm 

Cambridge make the first substitution at the 55 minute mark, replacing striker George Pugh with recent Cuppers winner Lumi Kanwei.

4:20pm 

Ryan Hoffman shown the yellow card for a late tackle on Finlay Ryan-Phillips.

4:19pm 

Both sides remain unchanged after the break.

4:16pm 

And the second half begins!

4:05pm 

And that’s it for the first half. A very tight affair, with only the one Oxford goal to separate the two sides. See you in 15.

4:04pm 

Tension is rising just before half time as Ryan Hoffman clashes with Alexander Rickett, after a foul was given by referee David Coote.

4:00pm 

Long range effort from Coveney comes to nothing as Wallace picks up the rolling shot.

3:59pm 

More chaos in the Cambridge box. A great run down the left from Coveney beats captain Alex Bull. The ensuing cross came down and the Cambridge defence struggled to clear. Still 1-0.

3:55pm 

Goal for Oxford. Chris Coveney finds himself 1-on-1 with Tim Wallace inside the 6 yard box after a deflected cross comes his way. He coolly sends the keeper the wrong way to slot into the bottom right. Oxford 1-0 Cambridge.

3:53pm 

Big chance for Oxford’s Alfie Cicale, who was put in behind down the left wing by a searching ball from midfield. Stopped at the near post by a strong hand from Tim Wallace. 0-0.

3:49pm 

Neither side really able to get a hold of this game yet. Still 0-0 and still scrappy.

3:43pm 

We’re past the halfway point in this first half now and both sides are looking very even. Oxford dominated with some early chances but Cambridge have matched them so far.

3:41pm 

Cambridge have the ball in the net! But the linesman had his flag raised before George Pugh could finish off Ryan Hoffman’s perfect pass.

3:39pm 

Chris Coveney continues to cause problems for Cambridge’s back four. Several times now, he’s been down the left wing delivering dangerous balls into the box.

3:37pm 

Oxford’s Chris Coveney got in behind Cambridge captain Alex Bull there but was unable to convert, hitting the side netting from inside the box. Luke Smith eventually fires over after the ensuing corner.

3:34pm 

Oxford starting XI:

Harry Way, Kaiyang Song, Alex Rickett, Ben Putland (C), Daniel Clifford, Jake Duxbury, Alfie Cicale, Finlay Right-Phillips, Oscar Guy, Luke Smith, Chris Coveney

3:33pm 

Cambridge starting XI:

Tim Wallace, Max Stacey, Patrick Mortimer, Ben Adam, Alex Bull (C) Brody Wooding, Callum Thomson, Ryan Hoffman, Ellis Birch, Jason Costapas, George Pugh

3:31pm 

Huge chance for Cambridge! Pugh plays Hoffman in behind the Oxford right back and Hoffman rifles a shot across Harry Way’s goal. A great fingertip save to match the impressive shot. 0-0.

3:29pm 

10 minutes gone now and very few clear cut chances. A lot of scrappy football and 50/50 tackles.

3:28pm 

Big chance for Cambridge’s Callum Thomson, who rose above the Oxford defence to head Ryan Hoffman’s corner just over the bar. 0-0.

3:23pm 

Both sides off to a lively start, but it's an early chance for Oxford as Alfie Cicale tears in to the left of the box and the ball comes out for Oscar Guy who shoots wide past the near post.

3:19pm 

And we're underway!

3:18pm 

Seconds from kick-off here.

3:18pm 

And it appears we have a famous face in the house, as David Coote carries out the refereeing honours! Or an uncannily accurate lookalike at the very least.

3:15pm 

A touching moment now before kick-off, as the late Oxford coach Mickey Lewis is honoured with a minute's applause, and his wife and son are handed a framed OUAFC blazer.

3:12pm 

And we're back! Five minutes until the Men's kick-off now and the players are coming out onto the pitch. These are two relatively inexperienced squads, with 24 of the 34 named in the team sheets set to make their Varsity debuts.

2:43pm 

Oxford's women have lifted the trophy, and deservedly so, as the Men's sides begin to warm up. Our full report on the Women's Match can be viewed here. We will now take a short break, and see you in around twenty minutes for coverage of the Men's fixture.

2:10pm 

This result sees the Oxford Women's side claim their thirteenth overall win in the fixture, now seven short of Cambridge's twenty wins historically. 

2:08pm 

And the match has reached its conclusion. There is no denying that Cambridge were driven throughout the match, but a fluid and relaxed Oxford outfit outclassed them on the day. Match report to follow shortly. FT Oxford 3-0 Cambridge. 

2:07pm 

Cambridge looking tired now, as Taiye Lawal surges forward for Oxford, only to be flagged offside. 

2:03pm 

With less than five minutes to go, the match appears to be petering out slightly. Molly Woods gets into the box and takes a touch over the Oxford defence, but Halfpenny easily collects. Still 3-0.

1:57pm 

Cambridge finally creating some chances now. Nothing conclusive and likely too little too late, but they are spending a lot of time in the Oxford half.

1:55pm 

Laura Mitchell wins the ball in the Oxford half, progresses it towards the edge of the box and takes a shot but fails to test goalkeeper Emilia Halfpenny.

1:50pm 

15 minutes to go until the full time whistle and it doesn’t look like there’s much hope for Cambridge now. Creating very few chances with little remaining of the second half.

1:46pm 

A further Cambridge substitution as Bronte Evans-Rayward is on for Tatiana Kasujja.

1:43pm 

Cadie Higginson hits the post from 20 yards or so. Atherton had no chance of saving that one had it been on target.

1:40pm 

Talking of Oxford being comfortable, Erin Robinson is gifted an opportunity by a strong run down the left wing from Alessandra Martin. However, a big tackle from Arden Dierker Viik proves enough to stop the shot. 3-0.

1:38pm 

Laura Mitchell plays a dangerous ball over the top to substitute striker Molly Woods, whose weak effort hits the side netting. Still 3-0, and Oxford are looking comfortable.

1:36pm 

Cambridge make more changes. Anna O’Leary off for Cara Drumgoole.

1:31pm 

Grace Molloy makes it three. A great passing move between Slade and Higginson sets up the Oxford striker for an easy finish on the 6 yard line. Oxford 3-0 Cambridge. 

1:29pm 

A better start to this second half for Cambridge. The game is not out of sight just yet.

1:25pm 

Cambridge will want a quick start to this half to stand any chance of getting back into the game.

1:23pm 

Molly Woods has come on for Temi Adeyemi (Cambridge).

1:22pm 

And the second half is underway.

1:05pm 

HT Oxford 2-0 Cambridge. 

After a strong half for Oxford, the Light Blues will hope to make more of an impact in the second half. See you in 15.

1:05pm 

Alessandra David makes it 2-0 just before the break. With impressive composure, she takes the ball round the oncoming keeper and then both centre backs who were flying back into the 6 yard box. A cool finish.

12:58pm 

Nia Hall takes a shot from just inside the box, but can’t put it to either side of Halfpenny. Still 1-0.

12:57pm 

5 minutes to go. Cambridge will be keen to get into half-time at 1-0. The action is for the most part in their own half.

12:54pm 

Molloy sets off Erin Robinson on a dangerous attacking run in behind the Cambridge defence. Her shot from wide hits the side netting.

12:50pm 

Izzy Boothroyd takes a looping shot from outside the D. First Cambridge effort for a while. Off target and not troubling Halfpenny.

12:48pm 

Emilia Halfpenny gets a rare touch through some Oxford possession at the back. She sets off a strong Oxford attacking move but Cambridge survive thanks to Anna O’Leary’s clearance.

12:47pm 

Pinball in the Cambridge box! Three or four shots from Oxford all blocked by the Cambridge defence.

12:46pm 

Dangerous ball across the box from Hannah Bruce. Higginson unable to capitalise.

12:45pm 

Cambridge right-back Tatiana Kasujja gives away a free kick on the left hand side of the box. Speculative effort from Hannah Bruce comes to nothing.

12:42pm 

Grace Molloy hits the crossbar from 25 yards. Jen Atherton looked in trouble there.

12:41pm 

And we’re back under way. Clock is running again from 23 minutes. Still 1-0 to Oxford.

12:39pm 

Halfway through the first half and we’re stopping for a drinks break. Looks warm under the sun on the astro turf.

12:37pm 

We’re 20 minutes in now and there’s no denying that Oxford look the better side. But Cambridge have had their moments and are very much still in the game.

12:36pm 

Huge tackle from Oxford’s Hannah Bruce to stop Izzy Boothroyd getting in 1-on-1 with Emillia Halfpenny in the Oxford goal. 

12:35pm 

A scrappy five minutes of football results in a tame Oxford effort. It remains Oxford 1-0 Cambridge.

12:31pm 

Chance missed for Fran Steele for Cambridge. A good run and cross from Laura Mitchell comes to nothing.

12:29pm 

Very nearly spilled by Emilia Halfpenny. Still 1-0. 

12:28pm 

Izzy Boothroyd scythed down for a Cambridge free kick on the edge of the box.

12:28pm 

Looks as though that Oxford goal has shaken up the Cambridge side. Looking more in the game now.

12:27pm 

Cambridge have the ball in the net but not before the assistant referee puts her flag up for offside.

12:26pm 

Oxford 1-0 Cambridge. Erin Robinson crosses into Cadie Higginson who knocks it past Jen Atherton.

12:22pm 

A good start for Oxford. Almost looked to get in behind several times in the early minutes of the game. Some shaky passing from the Cambridge defence.

12:22pm 

The Cambridge side this afternoon: 1) Jen Atherton, 3) Anna O'Leary, 4) Fran Steele, 5) Arden Dierker Viir, 6) Ailie Rennie, 7) Izzy Boothroyd, 8) Belle Roston, 9) Laura Mitchell, 11) Nia Hall, 17) Tatiana Kasujja, 23) Temi Adeyemi

12:17pm 

And they’re off - we’re underway at The Velocity Stadium.

12:16pm 

Cambridge will be looking to build on their 3-1 victory over Oxford in 2019, which saw them win the Varsity Match for the first time in four years.

12:15pm 

The Women's sides are lining up set for kick-off.

12:12pm 

Welcome to Varsity’s coverage of the Varsity Football Matches 2021, live from The Velocity Stadium in Oxford.