Oxford United Women leapt to the top of the Southern Premier Division with a 3-1 victory over Crawley Wasps this afternoon.
Amy Goddard opened the scoring quickly from a corner, before Oana Negrea levelled from the spot for Crawley. Tash Stephens then earned the U's the lead before skipper Riva Casley poked home at the near post two minutes after the restart.
The opening ten minutes saw both sides score in the spring sunshine, Goddard rising at the back post to nod home a trademark Naomi Cole corner in the fourth minute.
The U’s were slightly sloppy once they scored, and failed to deal with a clever Crawley set piece of their own. Tash Stephens was adjudged to have blocked the rebound with her hand, was booked, and former Yellow’s midfielder Oana Negrea stepped up to calmly roll the ball down the middle to level from the spot.
This time, the U’s reacted superbly, and it wasn’t long before they regained the lead. Jenna Legg, who minutes earlier was denied by a fantastic Naomi Gross save, found a superb ball over the top to put Tash Stephens in down the left. The winger took her time as Sophie Phelps stood off her and drilled the ball across Gross to score against her old club and put United ahead in the 19th minute.
Unlike the reverse fixture just over a month ago, the U’s didn’t create that many opportunities and Crawley, who hadn’t played in 21 days, did well to stay in the game.
Carly Johns sent a half volleyed effort just wide from the edge of the box, Stephens was denied from close range by Gross, and Johns thundered the cross bar in added time as she span and shot form distance, but ultimately the U’s went into the break with a slender advantage.
Lily Stevens was forced off at the break and replaced by Jaime Gotch and the U's came out of the dressing room on fire.
Yet another Cole Corner (TM) was fired into a dangerous area, this time low to the near post, and Casley poked the ball home through the bodies to give United some breathing space.
United stepped up the pace and Johns and Stephens caused Crawley problems with their energy and skill.
Iesha Swaby, Leah Burridge and Lacy Liggett replaced Johns, Sarah King and Cole and Gross was forced into some strong saves, but Crawley couldn't do enough to get anything from the game and unfortunately were relegated by the result.
Taome Oliver had a good chance to make it four with five to play, as she latched on to Gotch's pass (who was brilliant after coming on at half time) but fired wide as Gross came out to close down the angle.
A comfortable enough victory to send the U's top of the League with a huge game against Watford on Wednesday night. See you there.
LINEUP: Kite, Stevens (Gotch 45), Goddard, Casley, McLachlan, Cole (Burridge), Oliver, Legg, King (Liggett 77), Johns (Swaby 65), Stephens
Report by Billy Lawrence, pictures Darrell Fisher