Oxford United Women completed the group stage in the FAWNL Cup with a 100 per cent record thanks to a seamless performance against Luton Town, beating the Hatters 4-0.
United went ahead as early as the seventh minute through Emma Thompson, and doubled their lead just over ten minutes later thanks to Maisy Barker’s neat finish. It was 3-0 six minutes before the break as Grace Palmer converted from the penalty spot after Nicole Barrett was brought down, and substitute Adele Lindbaek rounded off the scoring with six minutes remaining.
Oxford started on the front foot, keen to bury memories of last weekend’s heavy defeat in the league at Real Bedford, and Luton had no answer to United’s crisp, first-time passing and pace and movement.
The first goal owed much to Barrett’s pace and delivery from the wing, the ball falling for Thompson who flicked it home under pressure.
Barrett got her second assist with a similar pinpoint cross, this one flying across the face of goal to be met by the onrushing Palmer at the back post.
Oxford remained on top, looking to extend their lead, but despite dominating possession they were unable to create any clearcut chances. That was before Barrett wriggled past a couple of Luton defenders in the area, one of whom lunged in to bring her down. Palmer was coolness personified as she stepped up to bury the ball past Sarah Hudson to give the U’s an unassailable half-time lead.
By the standards of the first half, the second period was a lot quieter. United continued to be the side more likely to score, again seeing most of the ball, but the pace of the game slackened slightly and there was little in the way of goalmouth action.
That was until the 84th minute, when Lindbaek controlled Lucy Trinder’s cross. You don’t leave the Norwegian forward in that much space without expecting to be punished, and indeed Lindbaek had all the time in the world to place the ball past Hudson and give the scoreline a more accurate feel.
The win sees Oxford top the group, three points ahead of Luton, and ensures they enter the knock-out stages of the League Cup.
UNITED: Wookey, Gibson, Wiseman, Bedeau (Trinder 46), Barrett (Manders 68), Legg (Provan 68), Turner (Lindbaek 77), Thompson (Sealey 46), Jenkins, Palmer, Barker
