Oxford United Women drew 1-1 with AFC Wimbledon in their first home game of the season on Sunday afternoon.
Adele Lindbaek scored her first of the season to put the U’s 1-0 up shortly after half time, but the Dons struck back a few minutes later as former Oxford defender Hannah Mackenzie headed home from a free kick.
The visitors were quicker out of the blocks than United and looked dangerous for the first few minutes, but after the riding the pressure, the U’s took control. After just six minutes, Oxford had the ball in the back of the net, but Maisy Barker was flagged for offside.
United continued to press but were mostly threatening from set pieces, with skipper Naomi Bedeau forcing former U’s keeper Rose Kite into a routine save from a Holly Manders corner. Kite then made a more spectacular stop, tipping Lindbaek’s powerful 25-yard drive over the bar.
However, possibly the clearest sight of goal came for Wimbledon in the closing seconds of the first period, when Emily Wallace burst through on the right, forcing Beth Wookey into a great save at her near post.
The second half was just eight minutes old when United took the lead their dominance deserved. A fine flowing move ended with Holly Manders slipping the ball through to Lindbaek on the right and her powerful drive gave Kite no chance.
Wimbledon levelled just three minutes later following the award of a soft free kick midway in the Oxford half. Dons skipper Ashlee Hincks’ excellent delivery was met full on by Mackenzie to bring the scores level against the run of play.
Oxford’s response was to make a triple substitution in an attempt to win back control of the game, and in attacking terms the rest of the game largely belonged to the home side, although they were unable to truly trouble Kite again.
As United pushed for a winning goal, they were almost caught on the break deep into stoppage time as three Wimbledon players found themselves with just Wookey to beat, but the United keeper timed her dive brilliantly to nick the ball from Hincks and earn the U’s the point that was the least that they deserved.
While it’s obviously disappointing not to win, especially at home, there were signs that this is going to be a very good Oxford side. Some of the football on show was superb and once the players get more used to each other they can only improve. It promises to be a very exciting season ahead.
“It was a brilliant atmosphere here today,” United manager Sam Rose commented after the game. “We really appreciate everyone coming down and supporting us.
“I hope that continues because it’s exciting what we’re trying to do and the more people that come and see it, the better.
“The result was disappointing; the game should have been out of sight by half time. We also had chances in the second half, but we gave away a cheap free kick, which we did all afternoon, and one of them cost us.
“Credit to Wimbledon, they slowed the game down and made it very difficult for us. We’ll stick together and improve, and it’s onto the next one.”
United: Wookey, Bedeau, Casley, Legg (Richardson 66), Turner (Barrett 84), Sealey (Thompson 66), Jenkins, Lindbaek (Trinder 66), Palmer, Barker, Manders
Attendance 401
