Sunday 11 October 2026
FA WNL Southern Premier Division
MGroup Stadium, Oxford
Oxford United… 1
(Jenkins 19’)
Swindon Town… 0
Oxford United Women continued their perfect start to the league season with another impressive defensive display to gain derby day delight with a 1-0 victory over Swindon Town.
Shaunna Jenkins' first-half header proved the difference between the two sides in front of a large crowd at the MGroup Stadium. The win extends Oxford’s lead at the top of the FA WNL Southern Premier Division table to six points, winning all their league games so far without conceding.
Liam Gilbert made one change to the starting eleven that beat AFC Bournemouth last weekend as Ruby Sealey came into the side for the suspended Nicola Gibson.
In front of a lively crowd of 559 people, United started the game quickly and dominated the opening exchanges. After only three minutes Sophie Quirk drove the ball away from a crowd of defenders before playing a through ball to Holly Manders, who forced the Swindon goalkeeper into a save from a one-on-one. Only four minutes later, Jenkins was found from a corner in a dangerous position at the back post, with her headed effort cleared off the line as the Yellows continued to press for an opener.
The U’s continued to dominate the game and in the 19th minute they received their reward. Another Manders corner was beautifully flown to the back post, and for Jenkins it was a repeated trick that finally paid off, as her headed effort powered past the opposition goalkeeper into the back of the net. It was a goal that Jenkins had deserved after her strong defensive performances so far this season, with her teammates crowding her in celebration afterwards.
In the 26th minute, Swindon had their first meaningful attempt of the game with a long-range effort superbly tipped over the crossbar by Beth Wookey who, similarly to Jenkins, carried on her strong form from the victory against Bournemouth.
The away side started to grow more into the game as the clock ticked past the 30th minute, however Oxford started to push the opposition back again as Quirk beat her defender on the left wing before putting in a dangerous ball across the face of goal, but Manders couldn’t connect with the ball properly as her headed effort flew narrowly wide.
The half drew to a close with both teams competing well and cancelling each other out, but it was the U's who had the goal advantage.
The second half began with Swindon starting stronger, but United soon began to take back control of the game. The Oxford momentum was unfortunately halted as the game stopped in the 58th minute, with Jenkins down injured after a challenge from an opposition defender. Jenkins was subsequently subbed off as she couldn’t continue, replaced by the returning Naomi Bedeau. It was an unfortunate end to the game for Jenkins who put the Yellows in front and impressed throughout, but the return of Bedeau, despite the circumstances, provided a timely boost for the team.
In the minutes following the injury, the U’s maintained control of the game, but with chances coming more infrequently, they were mainly limited to long-range efforts that sailed narrowly wide.
In the 69th minute of the match, United made two more changes from the bench with Emma Thompson and Ellie-Mae Richardson replacing Sealey and Kate Wiseman respectively.
As the match entered the final fifteen minutes, Swindon began to gain more possession as the Oxford looked to defend their one goal lead. The away side continued to push for an equaliser until the end, but they couldn’t find a way to break down the resolute Yellow wall in front of them.
The referee blew the final whistle after five minutes of stoppage time to confirm a 1-0 victory in the derby for Oxford United, with another determined defensive display securing the win.
To watch yesterday’s post-match interviews with Liam Gilbert and Maisy Barker, please click HERE.
Next up for Oxford United is an away fixture as league action continues with a trip to South-West London to face AFC Wimbledon on Sunday 18 October.
Oxford United: Wookey, Barker, Casley, Jenkins (Bedeau 60’), Brant, Palmer, Wiseman (Richardson 69’), Legg, Sealey (Thompson 69’), Quirk, Manders
Subs: Sieradzka, Provan, Powis, Burgess
Report by Toby Ludbrook
