Oxford United Women lost 2-1 to Watford Women at Vicarage Road last night.
Tash Stephens opened the scoring with a header in the 12th minute, before two screamers from the home side in the second half sunk United to only their second loss of the league campaign.
It was a disappointing defeat in a big first versus second clash, the loss meaning Watford leapfrog the U’s to take first place in the FAWNL Southern Premier Division.
Despite that, it is still in the U’s hands; two wins from their final two games would be enough to win the league.
Manager Liam Gilbert knows his squad will need to dust themselves down and get ready for the final two games, starting on Sunday against Gillingham.
“It’s a tough one to take because we had moments just as well as they did but it wasn’t out day today and it happens. They played a great game, fair play to them, they had nothing to lose and they want for it.
“They caught us out twice in transition and they took their chances well. I thought for a good 60 minutes of that we were very good, then either legs went or they gained momentum when they went forward.
“It’s the second loss of the season, it happens, and we’ll move on. We’ve got a chance to put it right on Sunday. There were some really good moments, and some moments where we need to be a little bit braver. We know that and the girls acknowledge that.
“It’s a learning curve and we’ll learn a lot about the group going into Sunday. It’s perfect motivation for us to go and put things right on Sunday. That’ll be a tough game, we know that, and we’ll make sure that we’re ready for it.
“As far as we’re concerned, we’ll look over today and see where we need to be better and then go into Gillingham and go from there.
Come along to Court Place Farm for the U's final home game of the season this Sunday (1:30PM) as the women face Gillingham.
Two games to play, two wins needed. All to play for.