PREVIEW Portsmouth Women v Oxford United Women

U's look to build on midweek win as they travel t Po

26 August 2021

Oxford United Women travel to Portsmouth on Sunday looking to build on their brilliant performance and result against MK Dons in midweek.

TEAM NEWS
Portsmouth will be another test for Liam Gilbert’s side as they look for back to back wins in the National League.

It’s the third game in seven days for the U’s and looking ahead to the trip to the South coast the United boss said: “Attention turns to recovery after two games in 48 hours, we will dust ourselves down and get ready for a very tough game on Sunday against a very strong Pompey team.”

Beth Lumsden who scored twice in the 5-1 win over MK thinks Portsmouth will pose a challenge.

Lumsden said: “They’re going to be a tough side but so is everyone in this league.

“We approach it the same as we approach any other game and go into the game positive then do our thing.”

THE OPPOSITION
Portsmouth have an identical record to United after three games, having won 2 and lost 1. They opened with a 5-1 win over Plymouth and a 1-0 win at Cardiff before suffering defeat in midweek away at Crawley Wasps 3-2.

United are in third after three games, one place ahead of Sunday’s opponents on goal difference.

Match Previews

Match Reports

REPORT Portsmouth Women 1 Oxford United Women 1

U's pick up a point at Pompey

30 August 2021

Oxford United Women picked up a point from their trip to Portsmouth on Sunday. Striker Carly Johns put United in front after 15 minutes but Liam Gilbert’s side were pegged back by a Shannon Albuery goal for Pompey before the break to leave both sides with a point after a 1-1 draw.

The game started off in cagey fashion with neither side really managing to create any chances before United took the lead when midfielder Kayleigh Hines’ free kick hit the post and the rebound fell kindly for Johns to finish.

United could have doubled their lead when Megan Alexander’s long ball over the top set Beth Lumsden away but her touch let her down at the crucial moment.

Portsmouth equalised following some dallying at the back by the U’s with Albuery curling an effort beyond Kite and Pompey took that momentum towards the break and only some last ditch defending by the alert Gemma Sims prevented them taking a half-time lead.

Portsmouth were the team who looked more likely to break the deadlock in the second half although United did hit the bar through Sarah King.

Portsmouth pushed for a winner, but Rose Kite made some great saves in the Oxford goal.

Oxford United
Kite, Wallace, Casley, Sims, Alexander, Haynes, Hines (Baker), Lumsden, Stevens, Johns, King (Grove).

Subs: Ackermann, Beaver, Childerhouse

Report by Jack Sale, pictures Darrell Fisher