Sunday 6 September 2026
FA WNL Cup
MGroup Stadium, Oxford
Oxford United… 5
(Manders 9’, 49’, 52’, Legg 74’, Brant 88’)
MK Dons… 0
Oxford United Women continued their perfect start to the season by winning 5-0 against MK Dons in a dominant display on Sunday in the FA WNL Cup.
The victory maintains Oxford’s strong start to the group stage, continuing the form that inspired an 8-0 victory in their last game in the competition. Over the two games Oxford have scored 13 goals without reply, as the number of goals scored in all competitions this season without conceding is now 25.
Liam Gilbert made five changes from the side that beat Cheltenham Town 5-0 in the league last Sunday, including a start for 17-year-old goalkeeper Olivia Sieradzka. Holly Manders kept her place in the team to continue her fine goalscoring form as her hat-trick took her to an impressive 12 goals in five games this season.
The U’s carried on their pattern of starting games fast by dominating the opening minutes of the tie which led to Manders’ opener in the ninth minute. The goal came from an incredible assist by Shaunna Jenkins, who intercepted an MK Dons pass before charging from the halfway line into the Dons’ penalty box to cross for Manders who took a touch before placing the ball into the bottom corner of the net.
Oxford continued to probe the MK Dons defence with Manders’ effort from the edge of the box, only minutes after she scored, being tipped over the bar by the away goalkeeper. As the half continued, more Yellows chances came and went, with Ruby Sealey forcing a close range save after driving into the box, before a press on the MK Dons goalkeeper led to an opportunity for Sophie Quirk who drew another save.
The visitors looked to counter attack throughout the half but United dominated possession, and as the half drew to a close, more chances came Oxford’s way. A Quirk cross was headed wide by Sealey who subsequently had a great opportunity blocked by an MK Dons defender, and the Yellows were unable to find a second before the referee blew for half-time.
The second half started in similar fashion to the first with Oxford on top straight away, quickly piling on the pressure to force a superb block from a close-range effort by Quirk. Moments later, Manders forced another save from the Dons’ goalkeeper, however she wouldn’t continue to be denied. In the 49th minute, Manders cut past a defender on the right wing before curling the ball beautifully over the goalkeeper from the corner of the box for her second of the match.
Only three minutes later, Manders completed her hat-trick with an incredible long-range effort that flew into the top right corner. The goal suited her performance and perfectly encapsulates her start to the new season, now with a remarkable twelve goals in the opening five matches.
United continued to create chances as Manders almost scored again with her swerving shot from the edge of the box being tipped onto the crossbar by the goalkeeper. On the hour mark, Liam Gilbert drew from his substitutes bench with Maddie Brant, Nicola Gibson and Kate Wiseman entering the match.
In the 74th minute, United Captain Legg added a fourth goal, firing the ball into the bottom corner from just inside the box after a slick passing move with Sealey. After the goal, more substitutes came on for the Yellows with Riva Casley and Quirk making way for Belle Rowden and Eva Burgess.
As the game drew to a close, Oxford continued to dominate possession and in the 88th minute, substitute Brant added a fifth goal with a driven shot from the edge of the box. It was the left-back's first goal in yellow since arriving from Lewes in the summer.
The referee blew the final whistle to confirm Oxford as deserved 5-0 winners with another clean sheet achieved, and now two wins from two in the cup. United finish the group stage with a home match against Arsenal PGA on Sunday 27 September.
To watch yesterday’s post-match interviews with Liam Gilbert, Holly Manders and Olivia Sieradzka, please click HERE.
Next up is a return to league action. Oxford United will make the trip to Essex to face Hashtag United on Sunday 13 September.
Oxford United: Sieradzka, Provan (Brant 61’), Casley (Rowden 75’), Richardson, Legg, Sealey, Jenkins, Palmer (Wiseman 64’), Barker (Gibson 61’), Quirk (Burgess 75’), Manders
Subs: Wookey
Report by Toby Ludbrook
