Oxford United Women started their National League season with a 4-0 win over Chichester City at Court Place Farm this afternoon. A double from Daisy McLachlan and goals from Georgia Timms and Emily Allen, on her United return earned the U's all three points.

United had to wait longer than expected for their season opener after two postponements  but didn’t have to wait long for their first goal of the season which came in spectacular style. Seven minutes into the match McLachlan drifted inside onto her left foot and curled an effort into the top corner from 25 yards.

The U’s Women were confident throughout, with the midfield duo of Lauren Haynes and Kayleigh Hines controlling the flow of the game and keeping the U’s in possession while Georgia Clifford, playing at right back, formed a good partnership with McLachlan as they continually found space down the right flank.

Timms went close with a flicked effort but didn’t make any mistake with her second chance of the afternoon, burying a cross with a good finish to double the U's lead.

United had their tails up and kept Chichester in their own half for the majority of the first period. McLachlan looked particularly sharp on the wing and grabbed her second of the game on 20 minutes. She worked space for herself in the area and got on the end of a good pass to finish low, in off the post, to further the U’s advantage.

United dominated possession at a sunny Court Place Place Farm, with Chichester registering only one corner in the first half and Liam Gilbert's side made sure they went into the break well in control just before half time as Allen got on the end of a good cross and headed in United’s fourth.

The U's continued the second half the way the ended the first, with Haynes swinging in a dangerous delivery from a free kick before Timms almost got her second. The lively McLachlan beat her marker and played a fantastic pass through to the forward who forced a good save from Chichester’s goalkeeper.

United were made to be patient though, with Hines coming closest in the second period. She picked the ball up on the edge of the area and her strike crashed off the underside of the bar and away. Allen came close twice in the second period, forcing a good save from Stewart on both occasions, but United failed to find another goal in the second half despite plenty of opportunities.

It was a fantastic start for the side who kicked off their FA Women's National League season with a convincing victory.

UNITED: Watson, Clifford, Beaver, Sims, Searle, Hines, Haynes (Baker), McLachlan (Johns), Williams, Allen, Timms (Moore)

*Photo by Sheena Booker