Oxford United vs Portsmouth on 23 Oct 22 - Match Centre

Oxford United Women return to home action against Portsmouth Women this weekend.

The U’s host Pompey at Court Place Farm for a top-of-the-table clash this Sunday, the 23rd of October. Oxford remain unbeaten at home for 1078 days and counting. Kick off is at 2 PM.

Tickets are £6 for adults, £3 for concessions, and are FREE for Under 16s.

Both sides have started the season excellently, with the visitors sitting one place and two points behind the Yellows.

Oxford go into the game having been knocked off of the top spot by Watford last weekend. The U’s have drawn three games 1-1 in a row, and despite being the only unbeaten side in the division know how much a win is needed this Sunday.

Assistant Manager Chez Williams will take charge of the side, as Liam Gilbert is away this weekend.

“I’m always raring to go and I’m really looking forward to the weekend. With every game in this league, you need to be on it and if you’re not ready there’s the potential to be punished. That’s not going to be any different on Sunday but we’ve prepped well” said Chez.

It’s bound to be an attacking game, as the two top scorers in the Southern Premier Division face off against each other. Sophie Quirk has scored six goals this season for Pompey, only topped by Leah Burridge’s seven for United.

“It will be end to end, hopefully more in their end! Hopefully we perform well and if Leah gets us one as well that will be great. I’ve got belief in all the staff and all the squad so I’m buzzing to take charge” added the stand-in Manager.

Portsmouth are also the leading scorers in the division, scoring 15 times in seven games. They have, however, the second-worst defence in the league, conceding seven goals. Summer signing Jaime Gotch knows the opposition well, having joined the U’s from Pompey.

“I’m excited to see some old faces, we all know they’re not the same team as they were last year. It’ll be very interesting to see how they set up but whatever happens, I’m ready to go. We had a needed break last weekend and we’ve been training hard the last two weeks so I think we’re really well-prepped for Sunday” said the centre-back.

Come along to Court Place Farm to cheer on OUWFC in a huge game in their league campaign.

Match Previews

Oxford United Women returned to winning ways with a 2-0 win over Portsmouth Women this afternoon at Court Place Farm.

Carly Johns scored twice to earn Oxford their first win in four games against the side one place below them before kick off.

The early threat of rain made way for a glorious Autumn day and United started full of pomp, with both Naomi Cole and Leah Burridge having tame efforts from range within the first couple of minutes.

Lacy Liggett was her usual bullish self, and on ten minutes seemed to be clipped in the area following some good link-up play between her and Johns, but the ref waved away the Yellows’ appeals.

In the 29th minute, United found their deserved lead. Daisy McLachlan pinched the ball off of a dithering Nicole Barrett and fed Johns who bent the ball delightfully past the sprawling Haughton into the top right corner for her fourth of the season. Johns won the September Goal of the Month, and she may win the October one after this strike. 1-0.

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It was very nearly 2-0 two minutes later. Liggett bought the ball down on her chest and fired her volley towards the bottom left corner, forcing a wonderful save from the Pompey keeper.

On another day Liggett could’ve had a first-half brace. Portsmouth’s left-hand side looked terrified at the sight of her by the end of the half; on 40 minutes she won a strong tackle, played a one-two with Johns and nearly found the second goal of the game but was denied from a tight angle and the U’s went into the break 1-0 up.
As expected, Pompey came out with more energy in the second half, having a spell of corners early into proceedings. United probably should have doubled their lead though when Johns found Liggett free in the box after stealing possession, but the forward fluffed her lines.

Iesha Swaby came on for her Oxford United debut in the 65th minute, replacing Liggett who had run herself into the ground.

Portsmouth came into the game as the League’s top scorers, but never really challenged Rose Kite in the Oxford net until the 73rd minute when Sophie Quirk put the ball past the onrushing keeper but wide of the post.

With 15 minutes to go United so nearly put the game to bed. Shelly Provan’s deep cross found the rising Burridge who headed her effort onto the top of the bar. Portsmouth piled on the pressure but ultimately couldn’t find the equaliser.

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Then, in the 80th minute United found the goal to make the last ten comfortable. Johns, who was excellent all game, got in behind, threw in a trademark step over and was brought down in the box. Oxford’s number 9 stepped up and dispatched the penalty confidently into the top corner.

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At 2-0, Leah Burridge was replaced by Sarah King and United were able to see out the game. Chez Williams took charge of her first game as United manager with Liam Gilbert absent and will be delighted with how the day went.

The U’s passed this difficult test with flying colours and now look ahead to their FA Cup tie at home to Bridgwater United next Sunday.

UNITED
Kite, Stevens, Gotch, Casley, Provan, Haynes, Cole, Burridge (King, 80’), Liggett (Swaby, 65’), Johns, Mclachlan.
Attendance: 266

Report by Billy Lawrence, pictures Darrell Fisher

Oxford United

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