Oxford United Women face Bristol Academy in the Continental Cup
Oxford United make their Continental Cup bow with a tough trip to WSL 1 side Bristol Academy tonight. Despite opening the season with three successive defeats, the U's have looked in good shape so far and have been very unlucky to come away with nothing from their three league matches, so have a point to prove against what is one of the top sides in the country.Oxford created numerous chances in Sunday's 1-0 defeat to Yeovil Town, but were unable to find the net – something manager Les Taylor is hoping to remedy against Bristol.
He said: “We created lots of chances on Sunday and hopefully we can create a similar number of chances at Bristol and maybe get one in the net.
“It's a big challenge for us, but from a footballer's point of view the bigger challenges you get the more you look forward to it. You'd like to think you can get a result against a couple of top clubs and it's great that we're in a position to have that challenge. As I've said all along, it's a big step up for our team but we're prepared.”
Winger Laura Low has featured in all of United's matches so far and feels that victory in the cup could help to kickstart the league campaign.
“It would be a massive buzz,” she said. “I think a win is definitely what we need at the moment, so that would be really good.
“We're really looking forward to it as a team and hoping to get something from it. As long as we're working hard together and we get the ball down and play I think that's the main thing. Obviously it would be good to get a result and if the opportunity to comes to attack them we'll obviously do it.”
With the exception of injured midfielder Louise Fellows, United will have a full complement to choose from ahead of the match, with goalkeeper Demi Lambourne returning to full fitness after missing out on Sunday through injury. Fellows' rehabilitation is being stepped up this week as she looks to continue her recovery and hopes are high she will be able to make her WSL debut soon.
Tickets are priced at £5 for adults and £3 for students and concessions and are available on the gate and supporters travelling to the match can find directions below. As ever, we will have full coverage via Twitter, live commentary on Yellow Player, as well as match report and reaction to follow here and at www.oxfordunitedwfc.co.uk.