Oxford United Women were held to a 0-0 draw at home by Watford Women in a closely contested encounter at the MGroup Stadium yesterday.
Watford's Jessie Gale created the first opportunity of the game, finding space and unleashing a curling shot that narrowly missed the target, going wide of the post. Moments later, Coral Haines tested Oxford goalkeeper Beth Howard with a shot that was comfortably saved.
Oxford’s first real chance came from Zoe Barratt, who made a determined run into the box and laid the ball off to Pheobie Poole, whose effort went high and wide. The Yellows threatened again when Kate Wiseman’s corner found Zoe Creaney, but the latter's header sailed over the bar.
Oxford continued to push forward; Jenna Legg hit a powerful shot from 30 yards which was well saved by Watford goalkeeper Hermione Cull. Moments later, captain Leah Burridge tried her luck from a similar distance, but Cull was again on hand to deny Oxford an opener.
Watford came close to breaking the deadlock on the half-hour mark, with efforts from Gemma Davison, Madison Perry, and Gale all threatening Howard’s goal.
However, it was Oxford who had the final chance of the first half, as Barratt’s cross found Poole in the box. Poole's powerful shot was punched away by Cull in the Watford goal, ensuring the score remained level at the break.
The second half saw Watford's best opportunity of the match. Haines found Bianca Baptiste in space, her cross reached Gale, whose shot went just wide to the left of the post. Moments later Gale had another opportunity, but her long-range effort struck the top-right corner of the crossbar.
The U’s responded with a flurry of chances midway through the second half, but Watford’s defence stood firm to deny the Yellows any sort of opener.
Both sides made changes in the 70th minute, with Baptiste and Ellie Head being replaced by Lachante Paul and Daisy Hind for Watford, while Oxford brought on Lucy Trinder for Issy Bryant.
Oxford’s best chance of the match came in the 80th minute when Barratt delivered a fantastic cross into the box, finding Poole. The striker’s shot, however, lacked power and was comfortably saved by Cull.
Watford pushed for a late winner, but Oxford's defence held strong, ensuring the spoils were shared.
The Yellows will have a two-week break before returning to action on 13 April, when they travel to Billericay for their next league fixture.
UNITED: Howard, Gibson, Wiseman, Creaney, Wellesley-Smith, Legg (Budaieva 89), Barratt, Poole, Burridge, Barrett, Bryant (Trinder 75)
Unused subs: Sercombe, Gotch, Richardson, Smith, Jenkins
Attendance: 612 (a league record at the MGroup Stadium)
Report: Caitlin Webb
