City go nap against United

Despite the score line this did not feel like a five goal loss as United enjoyed the greater share of possession and played good football but the old maxim having to take your chances to win games was never truer, which for United included seeing Rachel Panting’s second half penalty kick rebounding of the upright and then avoiding the on rushing home team players to be cleared by Oxford.

United enjoyed the opening ten minutes but the closet they came to opening the scoring saw Jess Grimmett shot straight at City’s keeper Natalie Morris Oxford responded with a similar shot at Jo Walsh-Perks before Danielle Anderson beat the off side to open the scoring in the twelfth minute.

Panting responded with a free kick drilled straight at Morris before Anderson doubled the lead in the twenty second minute by lobbing Walsh-Perks.

The final five minutes of the half saw Louise Thompson shot wide while a Grimmett free kick evaded both the on running Thompson and Panting.

Oxford virtually sealed victory in the third minute of the second half when Leah Moorhouse headed home from a corner. Sadly this was to be virtually Moorhouse’s last contribution of the match as shortly afterwards she needed paramedic attention for an ankle injury.

United enjoyed good possession at this stage with both Thompson and Morgan Merryweather failing to convert and it was against the run of play that City scored their fourth with twelve minutes reaming when sub Kiera Issac lobbed Walsh-Perks from distance. The scoring was competed three minutes from time with the impressive Anderson completing her hat trick.

For Woodley, who are going through a period of transition there was much to be pleased about especially the performances of Molly Haines and Holly Wilkins who should they have the ability to make the step up from the reserve team.