OXFORD United Women’s goalkeeper Demi Lambourne is hoping for the perfect end to an impressive year after being shortlisted for sportswoman of the year accolade at the Oxfordshire Sports Awards.

The event, which takes place at the Kassam Stadium tomorrow, recognises sporting excellence throughout the county, with Lambourne a shining example.

After establishing herself as United’s No 1 this season, the 19-year-old helped the U’s to an excellent sixth-place finish in the FA Women’s Super League 2, as well as earning a call-up to a recent England under 20 training camp in Loughborough.

Despite those achievements, Lambourne was humbled by her nomination for this year’s awards.

“It was a total surprise. I really didn’t see it coming, to be honest,” she said.

“I found out over the phone and I was just lost for words.

“We’ve all worked incredibly hard to achieve what we have this season, so to be personally recognised for my role in that is a big honour.”

Part of a new generation of female footballers with realistic ambitions of playing the game on a full-time basis, Lambourne is pleased to see her efforts recognised.

She said: “I’m very happy about it, because I’ve worked really hard and put in a lot of extra training.

“I train on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays with the boys and the youth team, as well as training in the evenings with the women.

“It’s hard work, but if you don’t put the effort in you won’t get the rewards, so I’d better do it now if I want to get to where I want to be.

“Ultimately, I’d like to be able to play football full-time and play at the highest level I can – hopefully with Oxford, because they’ve been really good to me.”