Women complete an excellent week for The U's
The Oxford United Women completed a clean sweep of wins for the U's this week with an excellent 2-1 win at Watford on Sunday.
With the Development Squad having beaten Swindon, the Youth team winning against Crystal Palace and the first team 1-0 winner over Newport two goals in as many minutes helped Oxford come from behind to win 2-1 at Watford and cap a good week for the club. . Megan Wynne had put the home side in front but goals from Lauren Allison and substitute Gemma Simmonds handed victory to the U's.
Manager Les Taylor made just one change to the side which were beaten at Reading last week, as Ella Franklin-Fraiture came into the side with Helen King dropping to the bench. United again named just three on the bench, with the development squad at home to Bristol Academy at the same time.
The U's just shaded the first half, pressing forward in numbers and looking very positive in possession, though they were unable to create any significant openings against a solid Watford side.
Winger Katie Stanley caused the Watford defence plenty of problems, giving goalkeeper Lauren Davey her first test of the afternoon, cutting inside and shooting into the arms of the grateful goalkeeper.
Stanley was again involved in United's best move of the opening half, breaking away on the right-hand side before crossing for the lurking Lauren Allison in the box but she was unable to make a solid connection in front of goal.
Watford also looked dangerous on the break and Kate Natkiel arguably should have done better when she found herself unmarked in front of goal but she could only volley wide from ten years out.
United continued where they left off after the break but failed to take their chances, Allison blazing over from one glorious opportunity after Laura Low had picked her out at the back post.
And they were made to pay when Watford took the lead, Megan Wynne capitalising on a poor pass across the face of goal from Jemma Connor-Iommi to tap into an empty net.
The home side fell back to protect their lead and United struggled to break through the massed ranks of defenders despite piling on severe pressure. But they finally made the breakthrough after 76 minutes when Allison volleyed home a delightful floated ball over the top which caught out the home side's defence.
Just moments later the U's had the lead, substitute Gemma Simmonds finding herself in space to fire past the Watford keeper from close range as United again broke devastatingly. And despite a valiant effort from the home side in the final stages, Oxford were able to comfortably see the game out to claim an impressive away win.
United: Lambourne, Nichol, Osborne-Ricketts, Chivers, Connor-Iommi, Hines, Nutman, Allison, Low, Stanley, Franklin-Fraiture. Subs not used: Pickett, Simmonds, King.
Attendance: 105.