Records tumbled at Marsh Lane on Saturday as Oxford City were hammered 8-1 by newly-promoted AFC Fylde in Vanarama Conference North, writes Matthew Bruce.

The result was City's biggest home defeat since the ground’s opening in 1993 and the first time they had conceded eight since 1971 (an 8-0 Isthmian League defeat at St Albans City).

There were braces for Richie Allen, Danny Rowe and Michael Barnes, with Liam Tomsett also on target and Josh Green scoring an own goal.

Darren Pond netted City’s solitary effort in reply.

The visitors took the lead after 13 minutes, Allen seizing on a leisurely backpass from Green before slotting home.

And Allen doubled his tally just three minutes later, rounding goalkeeper Mark Scott and rolling it into the empty net.

City pulled one back after 25 minutes, Darren Pond firing past former Oxford United goalkeeper Ben Hinchliffe from an impressive passing move.

But any hopes of a City comeback were soon dashed when Green deflected an Adam Sumner cross into his own net.

That triggered the start of City’s collapse as they went on to concede three more goals in the final ten minutes before the break.

Rowe beat both the wall and Scott with his low, driven free-kick to make it four on 39 minutes and just two minutes later it was five.

Scott inexplicably charged out as the visitors mounted yet another attack, allowing Tomsett to lob the City stopper.

There was still time for one more before the break as Allen rounded the keeper, but when his effort was cleared off the line Barnes was on hand to hammer in the rebound.

The distraught City players staged an impromptu crisis meeting around the centre circle at half-time.

And though they were unable to reduce the deficit at all, they did restrict their rampant guests to just two more after the restart.

Rowe notched his second as City’s hapless defence were undone by a simple route one long ball, the striker applying the finishing touch with a deft lob.

Barnes netted again soon after, heading in a deep floated cross from substitute Danny Lloyd to complete City’s miserable afternoon.

Oxford City: Scott, Arnau (Afolabi 36), Stonehouse, Pond, Lapoujade, Green, Rodriguez (Barcelos HT), Mullings, Yussuf, Del Alamo (Benjamin HT), Winters. Subs not used: Wilson, Brown.

Attendance: 308.

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