Oxford United Women continued their good start to pre-season with a 4-2 win over Southampton at The Oxford Academy.
New signing Kayleigh Hines made her return for the U’s in a fantastic game played in good spirit back in Oxfordshire for the first time this pre-season.
The squad, comprising of a mixture of returning players and trialists, got off to a blistering start taking the lead in the opening two minutes. A trialist got on the end of a well-taken corner to head in the opener.
United doubled their lead on 20 minutes after an incisive cross field pass from Amber Roberts for the U’s left winger to tap home from close range.
A positive display in the opening 30 minutes, the U’s played some nice football and finished the first half in control. Changes were made for both sides at the break as the U’s looked to give valuable minutes to the squad as pre-season steps up a gear.
Southampton started the second half brightly and grabbed a goal back early on from the spot after a forward was brought down in the area. The Southampton forward stepped up and gave the U’s goalkeeper no chance.
The U’s responded well, however, and restored their two-goal lead shortly after. Good pressure from a trialist caused problems for the Southampton backline and she rounded the ‘keeper before squaring to a United winger who tapped home.
United extended the lead through a great piece of individual skill from a trialist. The U’s forward made space for herself on the edge of the area before firing a low strike into the bottom corner leaving the Southampton goalkeeper with no chance.
A slight lapse in concentration allowed Southampton to grab a consolation goal but it was another good performance from the Women who have started pre-season positively.
Next up for the U’s Women is a home match against Wolverhampton Women on Sunday 28th July (2pm KO) at Whitelands Farm. Entry to the match is FREE.