Beth Lumsden struck twice for Oxford United Women as they beat Cardiff City Ladies 2-0 at the Velocity Stadium to continue their 100 per cent home record.
United made four changes to the side that beat Ipswich Town 3-1 last time out, with Rose Kite back in goal, Emily Wallace playing at left back, and Carly Johns and Lily Stevens restored to midfield.
The Yellows made all the early running and should have been ahead in just the third minute when a free kick from the left evaded everyone as it reached Riva Casley at the back post. Five yards out and with the goal at her mercy, the central defender skied her kick over the bar. Just a minute later Daisy McLachlan’s shot from the edge of the area smashed back off the crossbar as the U’s made all the early running.
Kite in goal was largely a spectator in the first half as United piled on relentless pressure, which eventually told in the 25th minute. Wallace was played in on the left and her cross was well controlled by Lumsden, who swivelled and shot past Wales keeper Laura O’Sullivan.
There was no let up from United, with the ball played almost exclusively in the Cardiff half, but they were unable to add to their tally before the break.
Cardiff were much livelier after the interval, one shot from an early corner going narrowly wide, but it was Oxford that were carving out the better openings, with Sophie Baker testing O'Sullivan from a Lumsden pull back and Wallace firing in a shot that was equally comfortable for Cardiff's goalkeeper, who dealt well with a number of aerial balls.
United continued to remain patient, however, and their patience paid off when Lumsden struck her second of the game in the 75th minute, volleying home first-time from Wallace's perfect left-wing cross to double the lead.
Cardiff had a late penalty claim waved away, but in truth they rarely looked like breaching United's well-marshalled defence and the final score wasn't a true reflection of Oxford's dominance.
United: Kite, MacKenzie, Casley, Beaver, Wallace, Johns (Peters 86), Stevens, Haynes, Baker (King 74), McLachlan (Ackerman 88), Lumsden