United lose to Yeovil in Continental Cup
Oxford United's final home game in the Continental Cup saw them go down 2-0 to Yeovil Town on Sunday afternoon in a game full of incident.United almost went behind as early as the fifth minute when Amy Chivers went into the back of Katie Cook to concede a penalty. However goalkeeper Demi Lambourne dived full length to her left to smother Jemma Tewkesbury's spot kick.
There were few chances in the first half, with Lauren Allison going closest for Oxford, shooting narrowly when under pressure and then firing straight at Beth Howard in the Yeovil goal.
The opening goal came slightly against the run of play and it was a fortuitous one as far as the visitors were concerned. Helen Bleazard swung over a corner from the left and the inswinging ball evaded everyone to drift into the net and give Yeovil the lead.
This was a big blow for the U's and the team was still rocking when Yeovil won a second penalty for a trip in the area shortly before the interval. This time it was Laura Bray who stepped up to the mark, but different taker, same result as Lambourne again flew to her left and again made the save to ensure that Yeovil's half-time lead was just a single goal.
The second half was just five minutes old when Yeovil doubled their lead. Paige Stewart raced away down the right and her perfect cross was met at the far post by Laura Bray who headed home, with Lambourne getting a hand to the ball but unable to keep it from crossing the line.
United now threw everything forward as they looked to get back into the game and they came close to doing so just after the hour mark. An almighty goalmouth scramble saw Katie Stanley's shot blocked on the line with Lauren Allison's follow-up smashing against the bar before another shot was diverted for a corner.
Oxford continued to press but were unable to break down the solid Yeovil defence, with Helen King's shot into the side-netting in the final minutes the closest they came.
Despite the scoreline this was a spirited performance from the U's and they played some nice attacking football. Look out for more of the same when they return to league action against Watford in the WSL 2 on Sunday 27th July.
United: Lambourne, Connor-Iommi, Fellows (Nichol), Lane, Nutman, Chivers, Stanley, King, Hines (Pinker), Low (Franklin Fraiture), Allison
Attendance: 201