Oxford United Women extended their good run of form with a fine 4-2 away win against Watford Ladies on Sunday.
In a ninety minutes that saw both sides battle rain, hail, gusting winds and brilliant sunshine it was not unexpected for the first 15 minutes of the game to see possession change hands regularly as both teams struggled to get to grips with the weather and neither were able to have any meaningful spells of position.
United’s first real foray forward saw Emily Allen win the U’s a corner and Ellie Noble’s whipped in delivery found Allen inside the six yard box to flick the ball past a static Watford back line.
With both teams now getting used to the weather on the exposed Middlesex FA pitch chances started to come and United always looked dangerous from corners. It was in the 42nd minute that they were finally able to double their tally when another dangerously whipped Noble delivery found Gemma Sims at the back post to power a header home.
Watford needed an early goal and came out fast in the second half. Their break came on 55 minutes as Oxford reacted slowly to a short corner routine and Kat Huggins was given space to rifle the ball past Lucy Thomas. The goal buoyed Watford who started to press forward for an equaliser, but Sims and Steph Mobbs stuck to their task at the back, restricting Watford’s Welsh International forward Helen Ward to few real chances.
United Captain Lauren Haynes then scored the goal of the day, picking up the ball 25 yards out and driving a fantastic strike into the top corner past a helpless Robyn Levett in the Watford goal.
The remainder of the game ebbed and flowed with the next goal looking to be all important and it was Oxford who got it when Evie Gane drove forward on the overlap and drilled the ball across. Georgia Timms was unable to get a touch, but her pressure was enough to see the ball cannon off an unfortunate defender and into the net.
There was still time for Watford to make it edgy and with five minutes to play a Danielle Scanlon free kick beat everyone to creep in at the back post. By this point though, United had done enough and ran out worth winners and make it five wins in row.
Oxford United Women are back at home again at Oxford City's Court Place Farm this Sunday (24th March) for a 2pm kick-off against C&K Basildon.