Oxford United Women earnt a huge three points on the road against title rivals Pompey Women yesterday afternoon.
Dani Lane opened the scoring for Portsmouth midway through the second half. The U’s reacted superbly and Taome Oliver levelled within minutes, before Carly Johns scored her twentieth goal of the season in the 92nd minute to take all three points.
The win cements the Yellows’ position at the top of the Southern Premier Division and all but knocks Pompey out of the title race.
A beaming Liam Gilbert told us at full time:
“First of all, what a game of football. Yes, we are delighted we won the game but Pompey gave us a phenomenal game and that’s such a fantastic advert for Women’s football.
“The way Jay (Sadler) set up his team and how they played they were superb and a credit to themselves. On a different day it could have gone differently, but I thought we were fantastic.
For the first and last thirds of the game, United were on fire and played some of the best football they have all season
“I agree, the hunger, the desire, the confidence and composure were just fantastic. I said to the girls at half time, and I know the score was 0-0, but I couldn’t ask for more from them. We tweaked a few things tactically on our end, but they did everything we asked. They’re just an amazing group.
“So many teams I’ve been part of that would’ve missed a penalty in the first minute and their heads would’ve gone. That’s not this group of players.
“There were some players that hadn’t played much recently, Leah (Burridge) and Jaime (Gotch), and they were superb and a credit to the team. That’s what is so special about this group of players.
“People have question that we haven’t played in the bigger games yet, but it’s not our fault. We’ve been waiting for these challenges, and we showed that today. We’re looking forward to the next one.
The U’s make it seven wins in a row, and now face a break from the league as they play in the County Cup Final next weekend at Court Place Farm on Sunday the 23rd of April. Kick off is at 5:30PM.
It’s a double cup final day, as the Development Squad face West Bromwich Albion Development at the Pirelli Stadium in the FAWNL Reserve Cup Final at 11:30AM.