4-4-2

Substitutes

Manager

4-3-3

27
Rose Kite

GK
8
Lily Stevens

GK
5
Riva Casley

GK
16
Jaime Gotch

GK
3
Shelly Provan

GK
4
Lauren Haynes

GK
10
Naomi Cole

GK
19
Leah Burridge

GK
9
Carly Johns

GK
13
Lacy-Jai LIggett

GK
7
Daisy McLachlan

GK

Substitutes

38
Iesha Swaby

SUB

Manager

-

Liam Gilbert

Match Previews

PREVIEW Gillingham Women v Oxford United Women

U's look to extend unbeaten start

4 November 2022

Oxford United Women are on the road this weekend as they travel to Kent to face Gillingham Women.

The game will be played at Gillingham Women’s new stadium, the Bauvill Stadium, and entrance is FREE for everyone. Under 16’s must be accompanied by an adult. Kick-off is at 2:30 PM.

It’s Gillingham’s first home game of the season, having played seven games on the road, winning three, losing three and drawing one.

The home side play their first game at their new home with new owner Kevin Hake taking over the club. At the start of the season, GWFC released a statement announcing the uncertain state of the club’s future, but last Tuesday detailed how the club would be saved by Hake.

The U’s enter the weekend off the back of a hard-earned extra-time victory over Bridgwater United in the FAWNL League Cup, their second victory in a row to regain their start-of-season form. Leah Burridge and Carly Johns have been back amongst the goals and will look to add to their impressive tallies on Sunday, while keeper Rose Kite will hope to make it three successive clean sheets.

“They’re playing their first game at home so it’s an exciting one for them, and we’ll prepare as we do for anyone. We’ve had two good results in a row now and we have to keep that momentum going. It’s an important time in the season and we need to stay focused to get the three points” said Manager Liam Gilbert.

This fixture is one that holds fond memories for Oxford United Women; a 1-0 victory away to Gillingham in the final game of the 2021/22 campaign earned them second place in the league.

Top scorer Burridge is well aware of what home advantage can do for a squad, as the Yellows have gone over 1,000 days without defeat at Court Place Farm

“They’re going to have the backing from their fans and they’re going to be well up for it. They’ll want to be the first team to take three points from us so we can’t take any game lightly,” said Leah.

“An away game is going to be a challenge in a new environment. We’re playing on grass which we’re not very used to but we are all up for it and have worked really hard this week, continuing on our strengths as a team and we are ready for Sunday” added Burridge.

If you can't make the journey down to Kent this weekend, Oxford United Women are back in action at Court Place Farm against Chesham United Ladies on Sunday the 13th of November in the Women's FA Cup.

Match Reports

Women Go Top Of The League

Johns goal beats the Gills

6 November 2022

Oxford United Women moved to the top of the Southern Premier Division with a 1-0 win at Gillingham Women this afternoon.

Carly Johns scored her sixth of the season to win the game in just the 12^th minute. United’s number 9 pressed the Gillingham defence, nicked the ball and slotted it calmy into the bottom left corner to give the U's the lead.

It was an excellent first half display, with Johns leading the line expertly and forcing Gillingham into mistakes. Her pressure nearly paid off again, as she intercepted a loose pass from Cara Davies, beat one defender all ends up but slipped just before she was about to get her strike off.

The hosts were supported well at their new home and tried to attack the width with Mel Espinosa and Phoebe Leitch, but Shelly Provan and Lily Stevens at full back were rock solid and United were 1-0 up at half time.

The rain cleared and Gillingham came into the game. but sub Iesha Swaby, replacing Lacy-Jai Liggett for her second Oxford appearance, had an instant impact, picking the pocket of Amy Haynes and shooting from the edge of the box, but the ball went just wide of the right-hand post.

Then, in the 66th minute, some beautiful feet took her past two defenders but Davies came out just fast enough to block her effort and send it over the bar.

Provan was terrific all game, a rock at the back but also sending in dangerous delivery after dangerous delivery. Lauren Haynes and Daisy McLachlan had a few efforts from long range but nothing that overly tested Davies and United were able to see out the victory.

Three wins in a row without conceding sends United into their Women's FA Cup Tie against Chesham United Ladies with plenty of momentum. Come and support the squad in the WFA Cup next Sunday at Court Place Farm.

Report by Billy Lawrence, pictures Darrell Fisher

Match Reports