Oxford United Women made it back-to-back FAW National League Southern Division wins as they beat Gwalia United 4-0 at Court Place Farm on Sunday to go fourth in the table after three games. Goals in the first half from Nic Gibson, Zoe Creaney and Phoebie Pool were added to by Zoe Barratt in the closing stages to earn Oxford's second successive win in the league.
After a fairly even start to the game, Oxford made the breakthrough five minutes before half-time as Kate Wiseman's free kick was headed home by defender Gibson.
Following a goalless first 40 minutes, the U's then ran riot, adding another two before the break. First, Creaney smashed the ball home from a corner just two minutes after Oxford had taken the lead, and in first-half stoppage time Poole collected the ball on the edge of the area, turned and shot home to make it 3-0 to United at the break.
With Oxford making four substitutions just after the hour, including a debut for new signing Adele Lindbaek, the side's momentum improved after a slow start to the second half, but it wasn't until four minutes from time that a rocket from Barratt completed the scoring to give United an emphatic win against their Welsh opponents.
After the game, manager Sam Rose said: "It's been a tough week with three games and two training sessions, which is more than the girls usual have to do, so to come away with a win in the cup and two in the league is really pleasing.
"It wasn't pretty today, but we kept a clean sheet and scored four goals, so I don't think you can ask for too much more at the end of a long week."
The U's now have two successive away trips, to AFC Wimbledon next Sunday, followed by Exeter City (1:00pm kick off) a week later before taking on Lewes back at Court Place Farm on 22nd September (3:00pm kick off). See you there!
United: Howard, Gibson, Wiseman, Creaney, Cook (Trinder 62), Barratt, Poole (Lindbaek 62), Gotch (Wellesley-Smith 62), King, Oliver (Sealey 62), Burridge (Legg)
Unused subs: Sercombe, Richardson
Report: Martin Brodetsky; Photos: Darrell Fisher, Liam Faulkner
