Oxford United Women cruised past Billericay Town Women scoring four in each half to win Sam Rose's first game in charge in the FAWNL Southern Premier Division 8-0.
The U's sunk the Billericay ship in the first half, with a double from Lacy Liggett and one each from Sarah King and Jenna Legg putting the U's four ahead at the break. Zoe Barratt then added a brace with late strikes from Taome Oliver and Shelly Provan rounding off an emphatic victory.
It was Billericay who probably should have had the lead early on as Ruby Sealey broke into the box after a clever backheel but cut across her strike too much and saw her effort go wide.
The U’s punished the rued chance almost immediately when Liggett found space on the right-hand side of the box, did the hard work to get herself in a great position and tucked the ball under Alex Baker to give United the advantage in the 11th minute.
From then, United looked in control and could have doubled the lead after twenty minutes when Liggett, who had an excellent game on the right wing, crossed into the box where Zoe Barratt had to improvise to make a connection but volleyed over.
Then the second came, Barratt ran in behind and crossed low to King arriving at the back post. Her first effort was well saved by Baker, but the ball ricocheted kindly into the winger’s path and she adapted to finish with her thigh and make it two with her fourth of the campaign.
Jaime Gotch flicked a header into the hands of Baker, and together with her centre back partner Shaunna Jenkins, the U’s read any Billericay threat and turned it into attack with real strength and swagger.
On the brink of half time the U’s asserted their dominance on the game with Liggett’s second of the day and United’s third. Shelly Provan whipped in a free kick that belonged in the Louvre and Liggett simply had to put a foot on it to make it three.
A majestic first half display was rounded off with a fourth goal with the last passage of play as Legg’s deep cross evaded everyone but snuck in at the far post to leave the U’s in cruise control at the break.
The second half saw Oxford dominate the ball and a professional performance followed.
Provan was marvellous on the left hand side and almost found the net herself, seeing her effort at the back post saved well by Baker's feet, before setting up what looked certain for Liggett's hat-trick. The left back's curled delivery was met in the six yard box but the U's were denied a fifth by a magnificent close range save from the Billericay keeper.
With the goals flowing, you just knew Barratt would get in on the action and within three minutes she had two and United had six.
First in the 69th minute she latched on to a dodgy backpass and finished confidently for five, and then in the 72nd she made no mistake to tuck home a delicious cross from Liggett for her 14th of the season.
With five minutes to go Taome Oliver then put the U's in seventh heaven with the pick of the bunch. Legg cut the back and the U's right back finished into the top left corner to make it 7-0.
Provan then put the icing on the cherry on the cake, scoring her first competitive goal for the United with a strike into the roof of the net with her left foot.
Some way to end the year and a real statement of intent from Sam Rose's side. Merry Christmas and see you in the New Year.
LINEUP: Sercombe, Provan, Gotch (Wellesley-Smith, 84'), Jenkins, Oliver, Wiseman (Budaivea' 82'), Legg, Burridge, King, Barratt, Liggett (Trinci, 78')
