Halesowen Town 0

Oxford City 3 (Barcelos 46, 65, Anderson 63)

Felipe Barcelos bagged a double as City secured the win they needed to secure their Premier Division status with a straight-forward victory in the Midlands.

Back in January Mike Ford’s side were third from bottom and in serious danger of being relegated, but a resurgence has seen them climb away from the danger zone.

City found the first half tough going, with both sides struggling to get to grips with a tough surface as the side went in goalless at the break.

Straight from the kick-off City went ahead. Felipe Barcelos advanced down the right, turning a defender inside out before hitting the ball expertly with the outside of his right foot past the diving Louis Connor in the Halesowen goal.

Seconds later, Lee Steele’s clever ball nearly set up the advancing Michael Lyon, who just failed to make contact.

Lyon then had his heels clipped as he was about to shoot.

City doubled their lead when Barcelos’s pass found Jerome Anderson who fired past Connor.

And their celebrations had barely died down when Barcelos bagged his second with a firm drive from the edge of the box after good work from skipper Liam Malone.

Halesowen tried to battle their way back, but were thwarted by City’s excellent rearguard in which James Clarke was outstanding.

Oxford City: White, Lyon, Blossom, Anderson (Organ 76), Ballard (Peirson 28), Savage, Clarke, Malone, Barcelos, Steele, Martin. Subs not used: Ford, Davis.

Attendance: 167.