TWO of Oxford’s estates were united by their love of the beautiful game this weekend.

The football match at Oxford City Stadium in Marsh Lane was organised to encourage a good relationship between Barton and Cutteslowe.

It was organised by a group of youngsters including Ciaran Vinten, who wanted to help the two areas shed their ‘negative’ reputations.

The 18-year-old, who lives in Sherwood Place in Barton, said: “A few years ago Barton wasn’t known as a very nice estate and people were very intimidated by it.

“You see how some estates don’t get along with each other but we get on with Cutteslowe quite well and we thought we would show that two communities can get on well together.”

A study in 2011 showed 12 of Oxford’s 85 neighbourhoods were among the most deprived 20 per cent in the country — including Blackbird Leys, Rose Hill and Barton.

Parts of Cutteslowe were ranked among the 40 per cent most deprived neighbourhoods in the same study.

Mr Vinten,, who played for Barton, said: “It was worth all the organising in the end. It was quite an intense game and there were a few big challenges.”

Barton ran out 4-2 winners.

Top News
Our top stories: