Oxford United Women achieved arguably their best result of the season so far, winning 2-1 away to Watford thanks to two first-half Ruby Sealey goals. Wales midfielder Anna Filbey pulled one back for the home team ten minutes into the second half, but a resilient defensive display from the U's ensured the Hornets' first home defeat of the season and kept Oxford in second place in the table.
United started the game energetically and took the lead after just eight minutes, when Sealey's shot from outside the area beat Maria O'Sullivan in the Watford goal.
Watford hit back and went close through Sophie McLean and Elkie Bowyer, but the U's defence held firm and Oxford had opportunities of their own, especially when Phoebie Poole drew a save from O'Sullivan from a Leah Burridge corner.
United doubled their lead just before the break when Sealey grabbed her second of the game, working her way into the six yard box before slotting the ball home.
Watford started the second period on the front foot and in the 55th minute they were back in the game when Filbey threw herself at a deep cross to head home at the back post.
It was thereafter a backs against the wall display from United as Watford tried to find a leveller. They came closest in stoppage time when an Annie Rossiter volley from a corner was cleared off the line. However, Oxford held on to claim the three points to keep them hot on the heels of Hashtag United.
After the game, U's manager Sam Rose said, "I thought we were excellent in the first half to go 2-0 up. We showed real character and resilience to keep Watford out for large parts of the second half and we're over the moon that we've won.
"We knew we were going to come here to press them and try to create problems that way, and we did. That gave us the opportunity to score the goals we scored. We played some good football at times in the first half and definitely held our own.
"I said to the girls at half time 'it's coming, we're going to suffer and we're going to have to defend our box' and I thought we did that excellently in the second half. I'm more pleased with the manner of the defending and the out-of-possession work because we know we're a good football team and today we've shown we can do the other side of it."
United now have a break next weekend before welcoming Billericay Town to Court Place Farm on 27 October. Make sure you're there to watch this exciting side in their quest for promotion.
UNITED: Howard, Gibson, Wiseman, Creaney, Barratt, Poole (Lindbaek 88), Sealey (King 58), Gotch, Oliver, Burridge Budaieva (Legg 58)
Unused subs: Sercombe, Trinder, Richardson
