Oxford United Women put aside the disappointment of Sunday's loss at Milton Keynes Dons last night as they beat MK 3-1 to go third in the table. Ruby Sealey opened the scoring for United, but they were immediately pegged back as Tyana Nee-Chambers equalised. Leading scorer Phoebie Poole restored Oxford's lead before half time and substitute Adele Lindbaek sealed the result in the second half.
The U's started on the front foot and took the lead after 18 minutes when Sealey broke down the wing and her shot from out wide beat Anna Draper in the MK goal. However, the home side were level within a minute as they worked the ball through the Oxford defence and Chambers finished off the move to level the score.
United stayed focussed and continued to apply pressure, with Poole going close and a Zoe Barratt shot hitting the post, with Draper saving Jenna Legg's follow-up attempt. In the 37th minute the Yellows had a golden opportunity to take the lead when Legg was brought down inside the penalty area, but Draper dived to her right to keep out Barratt's spot kick.
Undaunted, Oxford restored their lead just two minutes later. Legg drove goalwards and squared the ball for Poole, who smashed home her fourth of the season to give Oxford the advantage going into the break.
With both sides doing their best in the driving rain, it was Oxford that got their noses further in front. Lindbaek replaced Sarah King midway through the second half and within seven minutes made the result safe with a silky run and well-placed shot. After that, it was just a question of managing the game, which United did well to secure the three points and leave bottom-of-the-table Milton Keynes still searching for their first win.
After the game, Oxford manager Sam Rose said: "We're pleased with the win and we're pleased that we played some good football. It could have been more on the night but we'll take the 3-1 and we'll move on.
"All three goals came from players new to the group. I thought Ruby was excellent on the night, Phoebie scored again and Adele did what she does to get her second of the season. We created a lot of chances and maybe some of the players will be disappointed that they didn't add to the scoring. That's not a criticism, I just think that we could be a little more ruthless, because in some games you don't get many chances."
On Sunday, Oxford travel to Billericay Town in the next round of the League Cup.
United: Howard, Gibson, Wiseman (Richardson 66), Legg (Budaieva 82), Barratt, Poole (Trinder 82), Sealey, Gotch, King (Lindbaek 66), Oliver, Burridge
Unused subs: Sercombe
Report: Martin Brodetsky; Photography: Liam Faulkner
