PREVIEW Oxford United v Crawley Wasps

Women get set for first home game of the season

1 October 2020

United fans can finally watch some live football and support their club this Sunday (14:00 KO), with Court Place Farm (OX3 0NQ) hosting Oxford United Women vs Crawley Wasps in the Women’s National League.

TEAM NEWS
With no new injury concerns, Manager Liam Gilbert said:
“It will be nice to be back at home and it’ll be great to see as many Oxford fans as we can there. Obviously, we can’t go to see the men’s games at the minute and if last night’s game is anything to go by then we can put on a show as well.

“We know what Crawley are like and we will be ready for them.”

TICKETS
It’s FREE admission this Sunday for fans who have purchased a season ticket or a Crewe iFollow match pass. Supporters can present their Crewe iFollow code email or any emails confirming your season ticket purchase on the gate to be given free entry. Otherwise, tickets are priced at £5 for adults, £2 concessions and FREE admission for under-16s. With the men’s game still without crowds, this is your perfect opportunity to get your Oxford United fix.

Supporters can also follow our social media channels to keep up to date with all the news on matchday - including pre-match team news, in-game updates and post-match interviews. You can find our Twitter and Instagram handles @OfficialOUWFC, as well as Facebook @OxfordUnitedWomen.

FORM GUIDE
United put in a fine away display on Wednesday, beating MK Dons 3-1 at Stadium MK. An early penalty from Emily Allen set the tone for the rest of the contest, with the U's having the lion’s share of possession under the lights. Two second half goals from Molly Peters in Milton Keynes built upon last Sunday’s match away at Watford, where the Oxford striker opened her account for the season that day.

As for this weekend’s opponents, Crawley travelled to Gillingham on Tuesday and picked up the away win 2-1. Goals from Naomi Cole and Sarah Wignall sealed the deal for the Wasps, who bounced back from a narrow 1-0 defeat to MK Dons last weekend.

Both United and Crawley sit on 6 points so far for the season, so Sunday’s game is expected to be a competitive affair.

Crawley’s One to Watch: Immy Lancaster
Lancaster will be visiting Court Place Farm for the first time since leaving The U’s over the summer, opting to link up with Dave Cole’s Crawley Wasps at the beginning of September. During her time with United, the popular midfielder won the Oxfordshire County Cup and her last appearance for Oxford came in the same competition in a 12-0 win over Oxford City.

Match Previews

Match Reports

REPORT Oxford United Women 3 Crawley Wasps 1

Women beat the Wasps

4 October 2020

Oxford United Women treated the home crowd to a 3-1 victory over Crawley Wasps at Court Place Farm today, with Molly Peters extending her goalscoring form in the first half before Cat Beaver and Lauren Haynes struck later on to put the game to bed.

After a cautious opening few minutes the flow of the game changedon the half-hour mark. United’s free kick fell into the path of the free-scoring Peters from the second ball and the striker smashed home the opener.

Now The U’s had broken the deadlock, it was Crawley’s turn to retaliate soon afterwards and former United midfielder Immy Lancaster took her chance on goal to equalise only moments later when a Naomi Cole free kick on the left flank was swung into the path of Lancaster, who poked the ball into the net amongst the scramble of players.

United almost regained the lead when Abbie Bensted took a deflected follow-up shot from the edge of the area once Peters’ close range strike on the left had been pushed away by Lynch.

The second half started in a similar fashion to the first as both teams patiently tested each opposing defence. United looked to build from the back in their passages of play, with Sims and Beaver calmly working the ball around to each flank. Peters also used her impressive pace to link up with United’s wingers, forming some nice passing triangles between the Oxford players on each side of the pitch.

It was Beaver who found herself in the right place at the right time on 65 minutes when the defender exploited some space at the back post following a lofted free kick into the box from the left flank, powering the ball into the net to restore the lead.

On 83 minutes United put the game to bed in fantastic style, courtesy of a Haynes thunderbolt. After the ball was worked around nicely on the edge of the penalty area, the opportunity fell to the feet of United’s captain who unleashed a fearsome strike past Lynch who could do nothing but stand and admire the ball as it hit the back of the net.

The away side continued to ask questions of the Oxford defence right until the final whistle, but the home crowd was treated to three points once the referee brought the game to an end.

UNITED WOMEN: Kite, Wallace, Sims, Haynes, Beaver, Oliver, Johns (McLachlan), Allen, Bensted (Hines), Hayes, PetersUnused subs: Sercombe, Mackenzie, Stevens

Attendance: 265

Match Reports